The Gemini Planet Imager: Looking back over five years and forward to the future

TL;DR

The paper reviews five years of GPI's performance in exoplanet imaging, analyzes key factors affecting its contrast, and discusses future upgrade plans to enhance its capabilities.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive performance summary, identifies main factors influencing contrast, and proposes upgrade options for the Gemini Planet Imager.

Findings

Atmospheric coherence time significantly affects contrast performance.

Dome seeing impacts image quality and contrast.

Planned upgrades aim to improve adaptive optics performance.

Abstract

The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI), a coronagraphic adaptive optics instrument designed for spectroscopy of extrasolar planets, had first light in 2013[13]. After five years, GPI has observed more than 500 stars, producing an extensive library of science images and associated telemetry that can be analyzed to determine performance predictors. We will present a summary of on-sky performance and lessons learned. The two most significant factors determining bright star contrast performance are atmospheric coherence time and the presence of dome seeing. With a possible move to Gemini North, we are planning potential upgrades including a pyramid-sensor based AO system with predictive control; we will summarize upgrade options and the science they would enable.