Unique Science from a Coordinated LSST-WFIRST Survey of the Galactic Bulge

2018/12/07 by R. A. Street, Street, R. A., Michael B. Lund +41
Physics and Astronomy · #Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR) #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1812.04445

openalex publication_date 2018/12/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

NASA's WFIRST mission will perform a wide-field, NIR survey of the Galactic Bulge to search for exoplanets via the microlensing techniques. As the mission is due to launch in the mid-2020s, around half-way through the LSST Main Survey, we have a unique opportunity to explore synergistic science from two landmark programs. LSST can survey the entire footprint of the WFIRST microlensing survey in a single Deep Drilling Field. Here we explore the great scientific potential of this proposal and recommend the most effective observing strategies.

Related

• NASA ExoPAG Study Analysis Group 11: Preparing for the WFIRST\n Microlensing Survey
• The WFIRST Exoplanet Microlensing Survey
• LSST Observing Strategy White Paper: LSST Observations of WFIRST Deep\n Fields
• The Diverse Science Return from a Wide-Area Survey of the Galactic Plane
• "Auxiliary" Science with the WFIRST Microlensing Survey