Speaker
Description
Gas-giant exoplanets are expected to generate low-frequency radio emission (< 40 MHz) via the cyclotron maser mechanism. Detecting this emission is likely the only viable way to measure exoplanets’ magnetic field and space-weather conditions. Despite many attempts, there has not been a confirmed detection of an exoplanet in the radio band. I will present results from our ongoing search for exoplanetary radio signals with the LOFAR telescope. Our primary focus has been on Tau Bootis b, which is currently the most promising candidate for radio emission. However, we are expanding our search into a significant fraction of the Northern sky, thanks to a new decameter survey (LoDeSS). I will describe our efforts to successfully overcome high levels of radio interference and the rapidly changing ionospheric conditions to obtain reliable radio images down to 15 MHz. I will conclude with key lessons learned and a critical test of radiometric scaling laws that predict the radio flux from magnetized planets.
