Early Estimation of Microlensing Event Magnifications

Gravitational microlensing events with high peak magnifications provide a much enhanced sensitivity to the detection of planets around the lens star. However, estimates of peak magnification during the early stages of an event by means of χ minimization frequently involve an overprediction, making observing campaigns with strategies that rely on these predictions inefficient. I show that a rudimentary Bayesian formulation, incorporating the known statistical characteristics of a detection system, produces much more accurate predictions of peak magnification than χ minimisation. Implementation of this system will allow efficient follow-up observing programs that focus solely on events that contribute to planetary abundance statistics. Subject headings: gravitational lensing — methods: data analysis