NAI
2008 Annual Science Report
Pennsylvania State University
Reporting | JUL 2007 – JUN 2008
PSARC (Sigurdsson Report)
Project Summary
Theoretical modeling of planetary dynamics, in particular the later stages of planet formation and the role of giant planet migration in the formation of terrestrial planets.
Also, direct detection of planets around burned out stars using existing space based telescopes, and planets around pulsars.
Project Progress
Theoretical model of post-migration planet formation worked on; followup research on pulsar planets,; new line of research on eccentricity excitation of short orbital period giant planets. Four papers published.
Analysis of Spitzer Space Telescope data completed, two papers published.
Hubble Space Telescope time to followup observation doing direct imaging search for giant planets around nearby white dwarfs obtained in current cycle (w. Debes at DTM), analysis in progress. Theoretical paper on ejected terrestrial planets published.
Mandell completed PhD thesis and is starting a NPP postdoc at NAI GSFC center in August 2007.
Review conference proceedings paper with Moody on planet around pulsars published.
DDF funding for “Extreme Habitability” session associated with “Extreme Solar Systems” conference.
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
Avi Mandell
Doctoral Student
Kenneth Moody
Doctoral Student
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 1.1
Models of formation and evolution of habitable planets
Objective 1.2
Indirect and direct astronomical observations of extrasolar habitable planets
