Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics

Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) is a collaborative project between researchers in New Zealand[1] and Japan,[2] led by Professor Yasushi Muraki of Nagoya University.[3] They use microlensing to observe dark matter, extra-solar planets, and stellar atmospheres from the Southern Hemisphere. The group concentrates especially on the detection and observation of gravitational microlensing events of high magnification, of order 100 or more, as these provide the greatest sensitivity to extrasolar planets. They work with other groups in Australia, the United States and elsewhere. Observations are conducted at New Zealand's Mt. John University Observatory using a 1.8 m (70.9 in) reflector telescope built for the project.[4]

This article is about the MOA observatory project. For the astrophysical process, see Gravitational microlensing.

The Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) telescope dome at the top of Mount John

In September 2020, astronomers using microlensing techniques reported the detection, for the first time, of an earth-mass rogue planet unbounded by any star, and free floating in the Milky Way galaxy.[5][6]

MOA telescope mirror images
  • Underside of main mirror
  • Camera assembly
  • Main mirror, side view

Planets discovered

The following planets have been announced by this survey, some in conjunction with other surveys.

Planet Date announced
MOA-2007-BLG-197LbMay 2015
MOA-2008-BLG-379LbNovember 2013
MOA-2011-BLG-322LbSeptember 2013
MOA-bin-1bMay 2012
MOA-2009-BLG-387LFebruary 2011
MOA-2007-BLG-400LbSeptember 18, 2008
MOA-2007-BLG-192LbMay 30, 2008
OGLE-2003-BLG-235/MOA-2003-BLG-53bApril 15, 2004

See also

References
  1. Staff (1995). "MOA (Microlensing observtion in Astrophysics)" (PDF). Caltech. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  2. Yock, Philip (2012). "Review article - A quarter century of astrophysics with Japan" (PDF). New Zealand Science Review. 69 (3). arXiv:1510.05688. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  3. Latham, David W.; Gaudi, B. Scott (2014). Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (PDF). Encyclopedia of Astronomy. p. 1. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1850-2. ISBN 978-3-642-27833-4. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  4. Sumi, T.; et al. (1 July 2003). "Microlensing Optical Depth toward the Galactic Bulge from Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics Group Observations during 2000 with Difference Image Analysis". The Astrophysical Journal. 591 (1): 204–227. arXiv:astro-ph/0207604. Bibcode:2003ApJ...591..204S. doi:10.1086/375212. S2CID 118776894. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  5. Gough, Evan (1 October 2020). "A Rogue Earth-Mass Planet Has Been Discovered Freely Floating in the Milky Way Without a Star". Universe Today. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. Mroz, Przemek; et al. (29 September 2020). "A terrestrial-mass rogue planet candidate detected in the shortest-timescale microlensing event". arXiv:2009.12377 [astro-ph.EP].
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