Observing Strategies for the NICI Campaign to Directly Image Extrasolar Planets

TL;DR

This paper details the observing strategies for NICI, combining coronagraphy, SDI, and ADI techniques to optimize direct imaging of extrasolar planets in a large survey.

Contribution

It introduces novel combined observing strategies using ADI and SDI with a coronagraph for a large-scale planet search campaign.

Findings

First implementation of ADI and SDI with a coronagraph in a large survey.

Development of viable observing strategies for direct imaging of exoplanets.

Preparation for a 50-night dedicated planet search campaign.

Abstract

We discuss observing strategy for the Near Infrared Coronagraphic Imager (NICI) on the 8-m Gemini South telescope. NICI combines a number of techniques to attenuate starlight and suppress superspeckles: 1) coronagraphic imaging, 2) dual channel imaging for Spectral Differential Imaging (SDI) and 3) operation in a fixed Cassegrain rotator mode for Angular Differential Imaging (ADI). NICI will be used both in service mode and for a dedicated 50 night planet search campaign. While all of these techniques have been used individually in large planet-finding surveys, this is the first time ADI and SDI will be used with a coronagraph in a large survey. Thus, novel observing strategies are necessary to conduct a viable planet search campaign.