Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets

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dc.contributor.advisorFeast, Michaelen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorMenzies, Johnen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMengistie, Getachew Mekonnenen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-28T09:51:43Z
dc.date.available2014-11-28T09:51:43Z
dc.date.issued2013en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis project is aimed at tackling binary gravitational microlensing events. Since the early conception of gravitational lensing before Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, physicists and astronomers of the early 18th century speculated that light, if treated as particle, can be affected by gravitational field. Gravitational Microlensing is defined as a phenomenon occurring when light coming from a distant (source) star is bent by the gravitational field of an intervening mass (lens) creating multiple image of the source which cannot be resolved. In this project, We applied a model for binary lens microlensing events. We analysed data obtained from different observatories: PLAXET, which includes SAAO, Sutherland, Canopus and Perth observatories, OGLE, Danish Telescope, LaSilla. For the observed microlensing target OGLE-2011-BLG-265, analysis of the data using the program supplied by Keith Horne, using different minimization schemes and algorithms, I found best fit model to be a binary lens with mass ratio q = 0.0042 and separation of components is found to be u = 1.034 where in this case the separation falls under an intermediate binary lens topology. Finally, the deviation from the point-source point-lens microlensing events on the light curve and small mass ratio suggested a planetary system. I also calculated the time, tp, that the source needs to cross the diameter of the planet Einstein Ring radius, which is related to the mass ratio, and is found to be 3.30 days.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationMengistie, G. M. (2013). <i>Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9798en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMengistie, Getachew Mekonnen. <i>"Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9798en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMengistie, G. 2013. Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mengistie, Getachew Mekonnen AB - This project is aimed at tackling binary gravitational microlensing events. Since the early conception of gravitational lensing before Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, physicists and astronomers of the early 18th century speculated that light, if treated as particle, can be affected by gravitational field. Gravitational Microlensing is defined as a phenomenon occurring when light coming from a distant (source) star is bent by the gravitational field of an intervening mass (lens) creating multiple image of the source which cannot be resolved. In this project, We applied a model for binary lens microlensing events. We analysed data obtained from different observatories: PLAXET, which includes SAAO, Sutherland, Canopus and Perth observatories, OGLE, Danish Telescope, LaSilla. For the observed microlensing target OGLE-2011-BLG-265, analysis of the data using the program supplied by Keith Horne, using different minimization schemes and algorithms, I found best fit model to be a binary lens with mass ratio q = 0.0042 and separation of components is found to be u = 1.034 where in this case the separation falls under an intermediate binary lens topology. Finally, the deviation from the point-source point-lens microlensing events on the light curve and small mass ratio suggested a planetary system. I also calculated the time, tp, that the source needs to cross the diameter of the planet Einstein Ring radius, which is related to the mass ratio, and is found to be 3.30 days. DA - 2013 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2013 T1 - Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets TI - Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9798 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/9798
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMengistie GM. Gravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planets. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy, 2013 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9798en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Astronomyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.titleGravitational microlensing and the search for extrasolar planetsen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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