Observations from Australasia using the Gravitational Microlensing Technique

Abstract

The astronomical technique of gravitational microlensing provides new opportunities to make measurements which are difficult or impossible by other methods, or which are complementary to those obtained more directly. These include detection of dark matter, determination of galactic structure, measurement of limb darkening of stars, and searches for extra-solar planets. The technique is best suited to the southern sky, and several observations have been made from Australasia. A sample of these observations is described here. A case is also made for a telescope at the Antarctic dedicated to gravitational microlensing.