| Affiliation: | 1Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;2Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand;3Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464, Japan;4School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand;5Carter Observatory, PO Box 2909, Wellington, New Zealand;6Institute of Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo, Tanashi, Tokyo 188, Japan;7Research Institute of Civilization, Tama 206, Japan;8Department of Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606, Japan;9Nagano National College of Technology, Japan;10Tokyo Metropolitan College of Aeronautics, Tokyo 116, Japan;11Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan;12KEK Laboratory, Tsukuba 305, Japan |
| Abstract: | We describe observations carried out by the MOA group of the Galactic bulge during 2000 that were designed to detect efficiently gravitational microlensing of faint stars in which the magnification is high and/or of short duration. These events are particularly useful for studies of extrasolar planets and faint stars. Approximately 17 deg2 were monitored at a sampling rate of up to six times per night. The images were analysed in real time using a difference imaging technique. 20 microlensing candidates were detected, of which eight were alerted to the microlensing community whilst in progress. Approximately half of the candidates had high magnifications (≳10), at least one had very high magnification (≳50), and one exhibited a clear parallax effect. The details of these events are reported here, together with details of the on-line difference imaging technique. Some nova-like events were also observed and these are described, together with one asteroid. |
