[Paper Review] New Uses for the Kepler Telescope: A Survey of the Ecliptic Plane For Transiting Planets and Star Formation

Charles Beichman, David R. Ciardi+9 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Sep 4, 2013

Astronomy and Astrophysical Research3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes repurposing the Kepler space telescope after reaction wheel failure to survey the ecliptic plane for transiting exoplanets around faint M dwarfs and to study young stellar objects in star-forming regions. Despite reduced photometric precision, Kepler's large aperture enables detection of ice giants and Super Earths in habitable zones, offering unique insights into planetary systems and early stellar evolution not accessible from ground-based or other space missions.

ABSTRACT

With the loss of two reaction wheels, the period of Kepler's ultra-high precision photometric performance is at an end. Yet Kepler retains unique capabilities impossible to replicate from the ground or with existing or future space missions. This White Paper calls for the use of Kepler to conduct a survey in the ecliptic plane to search for planet transits around stars at high galactic latitudes and to study star forming regions to investigate physics of very young stars not studied by Kepler in its prime mission. Even with reduced photometric precision, Kepler's 1 m aperture will enable it to survey faint M stars to find ice giants and Super Earths in Habitable Zone orbits.

Motivation & Objective

• To extend Kepler's scientific legacy after reaction wheel failure by repurposing it for new surveys.
• To search for transiting planets around high galactic latitude stars, particularly faint M dwarfs.
• To study star-forming regions to investigate the physics of very young stars.
• To leverage Kepler's unique 1-meter aperture for detecting small, temperate planets around faint stars.
• To provide data on planetary systems and early stellar evolution unattainable from ground-based or other space missions.

Proposed method

• Utilize Kepler's remaining pointing capability to observe fields along the ecliptic plane.
• Conduct long-duration photometric monitoring of stars to detect transit signals.
• Focus on high galactic latitude fields to minimize confusion from dense stellar fields.
• Prioritize observation of faint M dwarfs to detect ice giants and Super Earths in habitable zones.
• Analyze light curves for periodic dips indicating planetary transits.
• Combine data with existing surveys to identify young stellar objects in star-forming regions.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can Kepler detect transiting planets around faint M dwarfs despite reduced photometric precision?
• RQ2 What is the detectability of ice giants and Super Earths in habitable zone orbits around M dwarfs using Kepler's remaining capabilities?
• RQ3 How can Kepler contribute to understanding the physics of very young stars in star-forming regions?
• RQ4 What is the scientific value of observing the ecliptic plane for exoplanet and star formation studies post-reaction wheel failure?
• RQ5 Can Kepler's unique aperture and stability enable discoveries not feasible from ground-based or other space telescopes?

Key findings

• Kepler's 1-meter aperture enables detection of small, temperate planets around faint M dwarfs even with degraded photometric precision.
• The survey can detect ice giants and Super Earths in habitable zone orbits around M dwarfs, offering new opportunities for habitable planet discovery.
• Kepler's unique vantage point and sensitivity allow it to study young stellar objects in star-forming regions not previously targeted by its prime mission.
• The ecliptic plane offers a favorable field of view for minimizing confusion and maximizing observation efficiency.
• The proposed survey provides a scientifically valuable extension of Kepler's legacy beyond its primary exoplanet detection phase.
• The mission can deliver data on planetary system architecture and early stellar evolution unattainable from ground-based or other space missions.