PTF Mdwarfs

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We propose a PTF project to detect eclipsing M-dwarf binaries and M-dwarf planetary transits in R-band PTF data. No modifications at all are needed to the PTF observing strategy. The survey will target cool stars (initially within the Dynamic Cadence (DyC) fields, but also the 5-day cadence eventually) searching for stellar eclipses and planetary transits. We expect to greatly increase the number of known eclipsing cool star systems (vital for calibration of the mass-to-luminosity relation at the low end), to obtain the best-ever close substellar companion statistics for cool stars, to watch for variability and activity, and ultimately to be capable of detecting planets as small as a few Earth radii.