Detection of Exoplanets Using the Transit Method

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the detection of an exoplanet using the transit method by analyzing photometric data and constructing a light curve from ground-based observations.

Contribution

First application of differential photometry with AstroImageJ to confirm exoplanet transit signals from Earth-based data.

Findings

Established a clear light curve for HAT-P-32b

Confirmed exoplanet detection via transit method

Learned about exoplanet properties from photometric analysis

Abstract

I conducted differential photometry on a star GSC 3281-0800, a known host to exoplanet HAT-P-32b, using analysis software AstroImageJ. I plotted the measurements from a series of images taken during the transit, via ADU count given from an earth-based digital CCD camera. I was able to establish a definite light curve and learn more about the properties of this exoplanet.