Analytic Modeling of Exoplanet Detection via Gravitational Lensing and Orbital Motion

Overview

Exoplanet detection is a growing field. Improvements to detection methods are likely to be more wide - ranging as telescope acuity increases. Due to this, the effect of orbital motion on gravitational microlensing events was analyzed to form a basis for spec ialized exoplanet detection in the near future. The produced effects of orbital motion -influenced gravitational lensing systems on exoplanet -star systems were considered. The Python packages pyLIMA and MulensModel were used to simulate many microlensing events with mathematically determined parameters. Each model simulated the optical effects of a three - body binary lens -source system with differing mass ratios between the two lenses involved. Through all models, all parameters remained constant other than t he mass ratio. Light curve differentiation based on mass ratio adjustment was noted, and the two packages were compared. Significant aberrations in the pyLIMA package were noted as opposed to the MulensModel package, and a relationship was identified between mass ratio and detection rate. A mathematical fit to map mass ratio to detectability was also established, allowing significant gaps in the literature to be filled with regard to both detection and low-mass identification in microlensing events. Identif ying this relationship provides the foundation for a larger knowledge base for more acute microlensing surveys, like those of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in 2027.

Competition history

• JSHS 2024 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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