S24A0023

We propose a 40-night, 5-semester Intensive Proposal to discover and characterize exoplanets around 90 stars with SCExAO/CHARIS, the leading direct imaging instrument in the northern hemisphere (and, soon to be, the world). Unlike all other prior large extreme AO imaging surveys, our survey selects young nearby stars for imaging based on dynamical evidence for a companion from Hipparcos and Gaia precision astrometry. A state-of-the-art dynamical code directly constrains planet masses and orbits. Empirical libraries and new, sophisticated atmospheric models constrain planet atmospheres from CHARIS spectra and predict brightnesses in the optical and thermal infrared. This program will produce a new benchmark sample of exoplanets that are imaged, precisely weighed, and have their orbits accurately tracked. Results from a SCExAO/CHARIS pilot program indicate that this Intensive program should yield at least 5 newly imaged planets and 9 newly imaged low-mass brown dwarfs, a discovery rate >5 times higher than that of previous imaging surveys such as GPI/GPIES. Our discoveries will anchor models of how jovian planet atmospheres evolve. This program will have a crucial strategic role in the future of exoplanet direct imaging with the Roman Space Telescope.


This document was translated from LATEX by HEVEA.