A Keck Adaptive Optics Search for Young Extrasolar Planets

Abstract

Adaptive optics, large primary mirrors, and careful selection of target stars are the keys to ground-based imaging of extrasolar planets. Our near-IR survey is capable of identifying exoplanets of 1-10 M${_J}$ within 100 AU of young (t$<$60 Myr), nearby (d$<$60 pc) stars. For very young and proximate targets such as GJ 803 (12 Myr, 10 pc) we are able to detect exoplanets with parameters approaching those of planets our solar system (1 M${_J}$ at 19 AU, 2 M${_J}$ at 9 AU; 5 M${_J}$ at 5 AU). We have thus far imaged over 100 stars with Keck AO. Here we report on our progress, discuss specific observing strategies, and present detailed sensitivity limits.