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G. Gatewood, L. Coban, T. Persinger, T. Reiland (University of Pittsburgh)
FAME and SIM will push the limitations of the search for planetary systems to sensitivities approaching the detection of earth-like planets. To better understand the origins of such planets we will want to model the planetary systems in which they are found. Unfortunately, the data provided for the outer planets in such systems is limited by the proposed 5 year missions of these spacecraft. Thus in most cases, a detailed study of the orbital parameters of outer planets in these systems will have to await later missions.
Fortunately, for 21 nearby stars studied with the University of Pittsburgh's Multichannel Astrometric Photometer (MAP), milliarc second (mas) data spanning 25 years will be available. Simulations indicate that the orbital parameters (all nonlinear) of the jovian planets of any of these systems can be modeled at significantly higher precision than possible with the spacecraft data alone. For any solar like planetary system found in this sample, the resulting parameters will allow the study of orbital spacing and stability, co-plainer motion, and planetary masses at a significantly higher precision than would have otherwise been available for another decade. Simulation results and the target list are presented.
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