Astrobiology Workshop, Macquarie University July 12-13 2001

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Using gravitational microlensing to search for Solar System like planets

John Greenhill (School of Maths and Physics, University of Tasmania)

Gravitational microlensing is currently the only technique capable of detecting Solar System like planets. So far it has provided only weak upper limits on the frequency of Jupiter-like planets but up to 10 "Jupiters" will be discovered in the next 3 or 4 years or the upper limits will be reduced to a few percent. Gravitational microlensing has the potential to detect Earth mass planets during the same period if they are relatively common. I will discuss current limits and techniques for increasing sensitivity down to Earth mass planets.