A Next Generation Microlensing Search: SuperMacho

Past microlensing experiments such as the MACHO project have discovered the presence of a larger than expected number of microlensing events towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). These events could represent a large fraction of the dark matter in the halo of our Galaxy, if they are indeed due to halo lenses. However, the locations of most of the lenses are poorly defined. The SuperMacho project will detect and follow up ~ 60 microlensing events toward the LMC over the next 5 years. The expected discovery of a number of microlensing events exhibiting special properties due to binarity, etc., will allow us to better determine the location and nature of the lenses causing the LMC microlensing events.