Paper: astro-ph/0505372
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 11:32:34 GMT (102kb)

Title: Interpreting microlensing signal in QSO 2237+0305: Stars or planets?

Authors: Rodrigo Gil-Merino and Geraint F. Lewis (University of Sydney)
Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures, A&A Letters accepted; a response to
astro-ph/0503018
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The multiply imaged, gravitationally lensed quasar, QSO 2237+0305, has been
the subject of recent optical monitoring campaigns, with its light curves
displaying uncorrelated variability attributed to gravitational microlensing by
masses in the foreground galaxy. Based on these light curves, it has been
claimed that the dominant microlensing population must be a population of
free-floating Jupiter-like objects; such a conclusion is not new, with several
similar claims in the literature. Historically, however, it has been shown that
such conclusions are flawed, with an incorrect interpretation of the complex
caustic network that arises at significant optical depth. This paper examines
this more recent claim, illustrating that it too is flawed.

\\ ( http://arXiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0505372 , 102kb)