38th Annual Student Research Conference
Astronomy Research & Outreach at Truman State University
Tommy E. Kerns*, Lucas M. Johnson, and Areeb K. Lodhi
Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Faculty Mentor
We present light curves for four potential exoplanet candidates chosen from the TESS Follow-Up Observing Program (TFOP) database. Students are working on analyzing data and generating lightcurves on several of these objects, and have completed and submitted analyses on three objects we discuss here.
We present research plans involving the use of Unistellar eVScopes to observe exoplanet transits in varying light pollution conditions and determine the impact light pollution has on collected data.
Outreach events were held at the Truman State Observatory, Thousand Hills State Park, and downtown Kirksville. Students used telescopes and binoculars to look at deep sky objects, planets and the Moon, and also used LASER pointers to do constellation runs interspersed with information about NASA missions as well as mythological stories to engage and involve the audience in the beauty of the night sky.
Keywords: TESS Follow-up Observing Program (TFOP) , Exoplanet Transits, Light Curves, Unistellar eVScopes, Light Pollution, Outreach
Topic(s):Astronomy
Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 109-5
Location: MG 1098
Time: 9:45