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arXiv · 1509.01238

Characterization of transiting exoplanets by way of differential photometry

Michael Cowley·Stephen Hughes
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Abstract

This paper describes a simple activity for plotting and characterizing the light curve from an exoplanet transit event by way of differential photometry analysis. Using free digital imaging software, participants analyse a series of telescope images with the goal of calculating various exoplanet parameters, including its size, orbital radius and habitability. The activity has been designed for a high school or undergraduate university level and introduces fundamental concepts in astrophysics and an understanding of the basis for exoplanetary science, the transit method and digital photometry.

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Michael Cowley, Stephen Hughes. 2015-09-02. Characterization of transiting exoplanets by way of differential photometry. https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9120%2F49%2F3%2F293

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