Program: GN-2006B-Q-5

We propose to complete second epoch observations of planet candidates detected as part of our deep direct imaging exoplanets survey. These observations are essential to assess companionship of the candidates. We will continue to use ALTAIR+NIRI and the angular differential imaging (ADI) technique to suppress speckle noise. Our observations reach a few Mjup at separations greater than ~20 AUs. GDPS complements radial velocity surveys (limited to smaller separations) and extends the discovery space of previous direct imaging exoplanets surveys. Searching for planets at wide separations is justified by the recent discoveries of planetary mass objects beyond 40 AUs, by models of debris disks structures, by studies of planetary dynamics and by RV data, which all suggest a significant population of planets at separations of a few tens to hundreds of AUs. Out of 85 stars observed, 59 show a total of 230 planet candidates. Second epoch observations have been initiated in 2006a and 32 candidates from 17 stars have now been confirmed to be background objects. Observations of 26 other stars are scheduled this semester (2006a). We request time to observe the remaining 16 stars. Assuming that the 2006a observations are completed, the 2006b data will complete our survey.