Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)

Approximately 48 of the planets with R<2R_{Earth}_ lie within or near the habitable zone (0.2<S/S_{Earth}_<2); between 2 and 7 such planets have host stars brighter than Ks=9. We also expect approximately 1100 detections of planets with radii 2-4R_{Earth}_, and 67 planets larger than 4R_{Earth}_. Additional planets larger than 2R_{Earth}_ can be detected around stars that are not among the pre-selected target stars, because TESS will also deliver full-frame images at a 30-minute cadence.

The planet detections are accompanied by over 1000 astrophysical false positives. We discuss how TESS data and ground-based observations can be used to distinguish the false positives from genuine planets. We also discuss the prospects for follow-up observations to measure the masses and atmospheres of the TESS planets.