Exoplanet Transit Observing Program

Exoplanet Transit Observing Program Coordinator:

Aaron Clevenson
19411 Cluster Oaks Drive
Humble, TX 77346-2918
Telephone: 281-852-4667a
E-mail: aaron@clevenson.org

Introduction

The Exoplanet Transit Observing Program provides an opportunity for an observer to participate in the exciting science of detecting exoplanets as they transit their star.

A larger telescope will allow more objects to be observed but more modest telescopes are capable of making these obsevations too. The keys to success fully capturing good data are:

The sky condition is critical. Any haze or clouds will ipact your magnitude measurements and therefore the quality of your data.
A good quality camera to capture the images is a must.
A good quality telescope is also important. Smaller telescopes gather less light and make it more difficult to observe the dips in brightness.
And lastly, quality software to process the images and create a light curve of the event. Software is available free and there are many videos that cover how to use them.

Remote observing is welcomed, too.

Many advanced amateur astronomers are highly skilled, possess large aperture telescopes equipped with research quality instrumentation, and are eager to engage in research-oriented activities. Your observations can complement professional observations by providing greater geographic coverage and creating larger data sets through more frequent observing.

Background Information

Other stars have planets! There are several techniques that professional astronomers use to detect those planets. One of the techniques is accessible to the amateur astronomer: Exoplanet Transits. If our observation of the distant star system is edge-on to the orbit of the planet, the planet will pass in front of the star. When observing a star, Exoplanet Transits make the star appear as a variable star. When the planet passes in front of the star, the star’s light appears to dim. This dip in brightness is often quite small since the planet’s size is tiny compared to the star.

NASA is encouraging the amateur astronomer community to get involved. You can see many details on their website:

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-watch/about-exoplanet-watch/overview/

The Targets

Exoplanet Transits can be observed for any transits that are visible for your observing location.

To get a list of Exoplanet Transits for your location and observing window, use the Swathmore Transit finder: https://astro.swarthmore.edu/transits/transits.cgi

Some transits are easier to observe than others. Some considerations include:

The brighter Magnitude stars are easier and more accessible to smaller telescopes. (lower magnitudes = brighter stars)
Moon Percentage can be an issue as well. More moonlight will diminish the apparent brightness of the transit.
Shorter Durations are easier than long ones.
Depths are shown in ppt (parts per thousand). The larger this value, the more significant the change in brightness.
% of Transit Observable: Observations are most rewarding when you can observe the start and the end. All observations are important and may be included in this Observing Program.
The higher the Elevation of the star during the observations, the less atmosphere that the light must pass through. The atmosphere diminishes the brightness observed (atmospheric extinction).

An observation is one event as defined in the Swarthmore Transit Finder. Different observations must be different events, but do not have to be different stars.

The transit must be detected to count as an observation.

How to get Started:

If you do not have one, create an account and observer username with AAVSO.
Become familiar with the AAVSO process for reporting Exoplanet Transits.
Review the information available on the NASA links to become familiar with the process.

Practice on Real Data

Obesrvations for this Oberving Program must be collected specifically for you. This means that either you collect your own, or you may direct a remote telescope to collect the data for you. But, under the heading of Citizen Science, there is a great deal of archived data that needs to be analyzed. While these do not count for the Observing Program, they do count towards Citizen Science certificates. They are a great way to praactice the analysis process before jumping in with your own data.

This is the process to get data from the archive and how to process it:

- https://www.astroleague.org/exoplanet-process-practice/

How to Collect Observations:

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How to Report Observations:

Observations must be reported to AAVSO. Once you have the required number of observations submit the required information to the Coordinator.

Requirements and Rules

This certification is available to members of the Astronomical League, either through their local astronomical society or as members at large. If you are not a member and would like to become one, check with your local astronomical society, search for a local society on the Astronomical League Website (click here), or join as a Member-At-Large in the AL Store.

Detecting Exoplanet Transits is exciting! We invite you to take up the challenge! There are ample opportunities for observers to start with the intermediate level and to attain the highest level of achievement over the course of several years. This is one of the few AL observing programs in which you submit your observations as you make them rather than waiting until you have observed the minimum number of objects.

Award Level	Observations Required	Recognition
Silver	10	certificate
Gold	25	certificate & pin

Submitting for Certification

To receive your Exoplanet Transit Observing Program certificate and/or pin; mail or email a copy of your observations to the A.L.’s Exoplanet Transit Observing Program Coordinator. An AAVSO printout of your observations is also acceptable. Include your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and society affiliation. Also include your AAVSO user name so submissions can be confirmed. Indicate to whom the certification should be sent.