We propose to use Kepler in 2-wheel mode to conduct a detailed search for
Earth-sized planets orbiting ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs (spectral types
from M7 to L3). This population of objects presents several advantages for
exoplanet surveys. First, ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs are small and thus
result in favorable planet-to-star area ratios. Second, because of their low
effective temperature, the inner edge of their habitable zone is extremely
close (2 to 3 days only). Third, our targets are bright at infrared
wavelengths, which will enable detailed follow-up studies. Our program
therefore represents a unique opportunity to find a transiting Earth-size
exoplanet for which atmospheric features (including biosignatures) could be
detected with near-to-come facilities such as JWST. Such exoplanet has not been
discovered yet. Kepler in 2-wheel mode provides the required stability and
photometric precision to make this survey successful. Our initial target sample
includes 60 ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs from which we expect to detect at
least one transiting planet. We propose to monitor each source for 4 days,
resulting in a total program duration of ~240 days.
Description
[1309.1078] Searching for Terrestrial Planets Orbiting in the Habitable Zone of Ultra-Cool Stars and Brown Dwarfs
cite arxiv:1309.1078Comment: White paper submitted in response to the Kepler Science Office's Call for White Papers published at http://keplergo.arc.nasa.gov/docs/Kepler-2wheels-call-1.pdf
%0 Generic
%1 demory2013searching
%A Demory, Brice-Olivier
%A Seager, Sara
%A Lissauer, Jack
%A Laughlin, Gregory
%A Huber, Daniel
%A Payne, Matthew
%A Triaud, Amaury
%A Gillon, Michael
%A de Wit, Julien
%A Zsom, Andras
%A Stamenkovic, Vlada
%A Selsis, Franck
%A Leconte, Jérémy
%A Queloz, Didier
%D 2013
%K 2013 a:Lissauer a:Payne a:Zsom kepler proposal
%T Searching for Terrestrial Planets Orbiting in the Habitable Zone of
Ultra-Cool Stars and Brown Dwarfs
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1309.1078
%X We propose to use Kepler in 2-wheel mode to conduct a detailed search for
Earth-sized planets orbiting ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs (spectral types
from M7 to L3). This population of objects presents several advantages for
exoplanet surveys. First, ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs are small and thus
result in favorable planet-to-star area ratios. Second, because of their low
effective temperature, the inner edge of their habitable zone is extremely
close (2 to 3 days only). Third, our targets are bright at infrared
wavelengths, which will enable detailed follow-up studies. Our program
therefore represents a unique opportunity to find a transiting Earth-size
exoplanet for which atmospheric features (including biosignatures) could be
detected with near-to-come facilities such as JWST. Such exoplanet has not been
discovered yet. Kepler in 2-wheel mode provides the required stability and
photometric precision to make this survey successful. Our initial target sample
includes 60 ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs from which we expect to detect at
least one transiting planet. We propose to monitor each source for 4 days,
resulting in a total program duration of ~240 days.
@misc{demory2013searching,
abstract = {We propose to use Kepler in 2-wheel mode to conduct a detailed search for
Earth-sized planets orbiting ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs (spectral types
from M7 to L3). This population of objects presents several advantages for
exoplanet surveys. First, ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs are small and thus
result in favorable planet-to-star area ratios. Second, because of their low
effective temperature, the inner edge of their habitable zone is extremely
close (2 to 3 days only). Third, our targets are bright at infrared
wavelengths, which will enable detailed follow-up studies. Our program
therefore represents a unique opportunity to find a transiting Earth-size
exoplanet for which atmospheric features (including biosignatures) could be
detected with near-to-come facilities such as JWST. Such exoplanet has not been
discovered yet. Kepler in 2-wheel mode provides the required stability and
photometric precision to make this survey successful. Our initial target sample
includes 60 ultra-cool stars and brown dwarfs from which we expect to detect at
least one transiting planet. We propose to monitor each source for 4 days,
resulting in a total program duration of ~240 days.},
added-at = {2013-09-06T09:58:49.000+0200},
author = {Demory, Brice-Olivier and Seager, Sara and Lissauer, Jack and Laughlin, Gregory and Huber, Daniel and Payne, Matthew and Triaud, Amaury and Gillon, Michael and de Wit, Julien and Zsom, Andras and Stamenkovic, Vlada and Selsis, Franck and Leconte, Jérémy and Queloz, Didier},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/248b32c3aaef1363d19223140c056c528/danielcarrera},
description = {[1309.1078] Searching for Terrestrial Planets Orbiting in the Habitable Zone of Ultra-Cool Stars and Brown Dwarfs},
interhash = {06e94720720cbe67c0dae85d8ab1ca5a},
intrahash = {48b32c3aaef1363d19223140c056c528},
keywords = {2013 a:Lissauer a:Payne a:Zsom kepler proposal},
note = {cite arxiv:1309.1078Comment: White paper submitted in response to the Kepler Science Office's Call for White Papers published at http://keplergo.arc.nasa.gov/docs/Kepler-2wheels-call-1.pdf},
timestamp = {2013-09-07T14:15:03.000+0200},
title = {Searching for Terrestrial Planets Orbiting in the Habitable Zone of
Ultra-Cool Stars and Brown Dwarfs},
url = {http://arxiv.org/abs/1309.1078},
year = 2013
}