(Proposal ID) S16A-048

(PI) Currie, Thayne

(Proposal Title)
Second Epoch Detections of Young Jovian (Proto)Planets with SCExAO

(Abstract)
We propose second-epoch observations of four (candidate) young, recently-
identified imaged protoplanets and very young planets. Our data, obtained with 
the cutting edge SCExAO system, will recover each at a high SNR and allow us 
to determine whether or not these are bound planetary companions.  Our targets 
could provide the first exoplanet discoveries including (in part) SCExAO and 
confirm the first published planet candidate (51 Eri b) identified from 
extreme AO. In some cases, our observations provide key color information 
needed to better interpret the source of emission from these candidates. 
These targets probe masses and separations far more solar system like than 
most imaged (proto)planets and can be followed up in a year's time with CHARIS 
to obtain spectra. These targets expand our knowledge of jovian planet 
formation and evolution, providing key insights into the formation of jovian 
planets. It also extends our knowledge about the population of most of the 
known imaged (proto)planets to lower masses, providing key insights into the 
mass distribution of the youngest planets at separations inaccessible by RV or 
transits.