Since the mid-1990's more than 100 extrasolar
planets have been detected with high precision
radial velocity surveys. These planets have been
discovered around single, main sequence stars
components of binary star systems, and evolved stars.
The ensemble of extrasolar planets exhibit
the following characteristics:
1) the planet mass distribution rises toward the
low-mass detection threshold and is truncated
at about 10 M_jup
2) the host stars are more metal-rich than
average field stars
3) low-mass M dwarf stars have a statistically
significant paucity of gas giant planets
4) multiple planet systems are common
5) eccentric orbits are common
6) secular resonances are important in multi-planet
systems
These statistical characteristics carry information
about properties of protoplanetary disks,
timescales for formation, and dynamical evolution.
However, these characteristics also contain
observational selection effects; we have only
discovered the tip of the exoplanet iceberg.
This talk will provide an overview of current
discoveries and a preview of what observers
expect to accomplish in the coming decade.
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