Planet Sensitivity from Combined Ground- and Space-based Microlensing Observations

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that combining ground and space-based microlensing observations enhances planet detection sensitivity, even for low to moderate magnification events, informing future Galactic planet distribution studies.

Contribution

First analysis of planet sensitivity in microlensing events using simultaneous ground and space observations, highlighting potential for broader detection capabilities.

Findings

Significant planet sensitivity in low to moderate magnification events

Combined observations improve detection probability

Implications for future space-based microlensing surveys

Abstract

To move one step forward toward a Galactic distribution of planets, we present the first planet sensitivity analysis for microlensing events with simultaneous observations from space and the ground. We present this analysis for two such events, OGLE-2014-BLG-0939 and OGLE-2014-BLG-0124, which both show substantial planet sensitivity even though neither of them reached high magnification. This suggests that an ensemble of low to moderate magnification events can also yield significant planet sensitivity and therefore probability to detect planets. The implications of our results to the ongoing and future space-based microlensing experiments to measure the Galactic distribution of planets are discussed.