1. Exo-Planet Task Force (ExoPTF) Jonathan Lunine (LPL) Stephen Ridgway (NASA)

2. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 2 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decade Review 2008 - 2010 AAAC ExoPlanet Task Force 2007

3. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 3 The ExoPTF Website The ExoPTF website will be active no later than Friday, February 9. www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/exoptf.jsp

4. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 4 The ExoPTF Charge This letter is to request that the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC) establish an Exo-Planet Task Force (ExoPTF) as a subcommittee to advise NSF and NASA on the future of the ground-based and space-based search for and study of exo-planets, planetary systems, Earth-like planets and habitable environments around other stars.

5. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 5 The ExoPTF Charge The ExoPTF is asked to recommend a 15- year strategy to detect and characterize exo- planets and planetary systems, and their formation and evolution, including specifically the identification of nearby candidate Earth- like planets and study of their habitability. The strategy may include planning and preparation for facilities and missions beyond the 15-year horizon.

6. 6 The ExoPTF Charge The key scientific questions and issues, in the context of recent developments in exo-planet science and planet formation; Measurement techniques, their enabling technologies and their implications for future survey and measurement directions and priorities; Specific types of experiments (e.g., radial velocity measurements, transit searches, microlensing, adaptive optics, coronagraphy) with respect to their expected scientific return and contributions; The potential and complementary science return from measurements at different wavelengths; The role of theoretical investigations in defining needed capabilities, constraining measurement requirements, and interpreting results in terms of the overarching scientific questions; Major decision points in the exo-planet study process; Identification of key technologies relevant to the scientific goals of the program; Important steps in the development of instrumentation, R&D, and other work required in preparation for or in support of, these and related experiments and missions; The complementary ground-based and space-based research opportunities, coordination between funding agencies and possible synergistic advances; Opportunities for cooperation, coordination or synergy with international programs.

7. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 7 ExoPTF Confirmed Membership Debra FischerSFSU Heidi HammelSpace Science Institute Lynne HillenbrandCaltech Jim KastingPenn State Greg LaughlinUCSC Jonathan Lunine (chair)Lunar & Planetary Lab Bruce MacintoshLLNL Mark MarleyNASA Ames Gary MelnickCFA David MonetUSNO Charley NoeckerBall Aerospace Stanton PealeUCSB Andreas QuirrenbachU Heidelberg Sara SeagerMIT Josh WinnMIT

8. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 8 Target Schedule (all dates in 2007) February 20-21 - meet with agencies, organization & strategy, invited briefings April - invited briefings, white papers, report outline May - invited briefings, white papers, writing assignments May -> Sept - recommendations and writing, expect 2 additional meetings October - deliver report to AAAC

9. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 9 First Meeting Objectives Discussion of charge with agencies and AAAC chair Prepare call for white papers Invited briefings (5) –Physics and signatures of giant and terrestrial planets –Ground and space-based detection techniques Lay out scope of the report, writing groups, roadmap to completion

10. Lunine & Ridgway - AAAC - 2/9/2007 10 White Paper Heads-Up via AAS Email Exploder CALL FOR EXOPLANET WHITE PAPERS The ExoPlanet Task Force (ExoPTF), an Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC) subcommittee formed at the request of NSF and NASA, is expected to announce a call for white papers to inform their assessment of techniques and approaches for extra-solar planet detection and characterization, using both space and ground-based facilities. The ExoPTF is asked to recommend a 15-year strategy to detect and characterize exo-planets and planetary systems, and their formation and evolution, including specifically the identification of nearby candidate Earth-like planets and study of their habitability. The anticipated white paper solicitation deadline is 2 April 2007. The ExoPTF charge and membership, as well as future documentation including the white paper solicitation, can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/exoptf.jsp