The discovery and characterization of giant planets on wide orbits around low-mass M dwarf stars is key to understanding the architectures and evolution of M dwarf planetary systems. While current ground-based imaging struggles to probe below a Jupiter mass at large separations, the unprecedented sensitivity of JWST NIRCam coronagraphic imaging provides direct access to planets significantly less massive than Jupiter beyond 10 AU around the closest, youngest M dwarfs.
This work presents the survey design, observations, and results of JWST GTO Program 1184, a NIRCam coronagraphic imaging survey of 9 nearby and young low-mass stars. We have demonstrated sensitivity to Saturn-mass (and in some cases sub-Saturn-mass) exoplanets beyond 10 AU for the first time, and we have identified a marginally detected “F356W dropout” candidate whose photometry may be consistent with significantly sub-Jupiter-mass exoplanets. Finally, we present lessons learned for NIRCam coronagraphy and lay the groundwork for the continued JWST direct imaging of young M dwarfs to discover planets in a previously inaccessible region of mass-separation space.
| Subject : | : | Oral presentation |
| Topics | : | Planetary systems, architecture and dynamics |
| PDF version | : |  PDF version |
