Cool Stars 14 - Submitted Abstract # 386
This version created on 13 October 2006

Search for Habitable Planets:  Synergies and Long Term Prospects


Charles Beichman, Michelson Science Center (Caltech/JPL)

The search for habitable planets and life is a (very) long term voyage
of exploration and scientific discovery.  Using both ground- and
space-based techniques we will eventually achieve our goal of
characterizing neighboring solar systems.  Despite a slowdown in the
pace of developing future space-based missions, there is still a
robust program of exo-planet research that should excite scientists
and inspire the general public.  However, to ensure progress beyond
the present generation of experiments, we must continue to develop and
articulate our goals of using observations of optical and infrared
photons as well as astrometric and Doppler wobbles to find and
characterize nearby planets and to search for life.  I will discuss
synergies between various planet finding techniques that will be
possible in the near and long term.  

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