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Presentation

Violet Poole
Truman State University

Subject Listing - Physics/Astronomy
Advisor: Dr. Matt Beaky

Friday, Oral Session 6, Presentation 3, Robinson Hall 228

DETECTING EXTRASOLAR PLANETS BY THE METHODS OF PHOTOELECTRIC PHOTOMETRY

Observations of transits of extrasolar planets are crucial to determining specific information about the planet, such as its mass and radius. The detection of planetary transits around stars known to possess extrasolar planets from radial velocity measurements have been partially delegated to amateur astronomers through the Transit Search organization's campaign, because professional astronomers don't always have the time to devote to lengthy studies on relatively bright individual stars. Most of these observations are conducted with the use of a CCD camera. However, a solid state off-the-shelf photometer can yield comparable accuracy, which is enough to detect most planetary transits. Photoelectric photometers require less data analysis than CCD photometry, potentially allowing more amateurs to join in the detection and timing of these transits. In this study an Optec SSP-3A photoelectric photometer was used togehter with a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope to observe transits of extrasolar planets. The accuracy of this system is demonstrated by observing a transit of HD209458, a well known transiting planet with an approximate magnitude drop of approximately 0.017. Other attempts at observing planetary transits will also be reported.

Advisor: Dr. Matt Beaky, Associate Professor, Physics, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO