Gravitational Microlensing in the Local Group

摘要: ▪ Abstract The status of searches for gravitational microlensing events the stars in our galaxy and other galaxies Local Group, interpretation results, some theory, prospects future are reviewed. The have already unveiled ∼ 100 events, at least two them caused by binaries, proven to be useful studies Galactic structure. detected so far probably attributable effects ordinary stars, possibly substellar brown dwarfs; however, a firm conclusion cannot reached yet because analysis published date is based on total only 16 events. current searches, soon upgraded, will allow determination mass function dwarfs next few years; these efforts also provide good statistical information about binary systems, particular their ratios. They may reveal nature dark matter us detect planets planetary objects.