Speaker: Eric Nielsen, Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii

Abstract:
Direct imaging is a powerful technique for studying extrasolar planets that can unlock clues to the formation and evolution of planetary systems that can't be probed with other methods.  The Gemini NICI Planet-Finding Campaign was the largest, deepest direct imaging search for extrasolar giant planets conducted to date.  I discuss how we chose the 230 stars observed by the Campaign and a new Bayesian technique for characterizing the age of early type stars.  Given the high contrasts reached around such a large number of target stars we are able to place strong constraints on the frequency of long-period giant planets, and probe the distribution of substellar companions.