Exoplanet Detection Limits of the Athabasca University Robotic Telescope (AURT)

Abstract

The discovery and study of exoplanets is an important area of inquiry in the field of astronomy. The transit method is a powerful technique for discovering and studying exoplanets. When the orbital plane of an exoplanet is aligned with the Earth a transit may be observed. As the exoplanet transits, it blocks some of the starlight causing the total flux from the star to drop. With the proper equipment this decrease in the brightness of the star can be measured. The result is a light curve that shows the brightness of the star decreasing as the exoplanet travels in front of it and then returns to its original level when the exoplanet is no longer eclipsing the star. The objectives of this research project are to demonstrate the sensitivity with which exoplanet orbital parameters can be derived using the Athabasca University Robotic Telescope (AURT), and to determine the exoplanet detection limit of this telescope. Satellite survey missions are an important source for finding new exoplanets. But launching satellites is difficult and expensive. Time on space based satellite is also in limited supply. As such there is a need for more Earth based surveys using small telescopes. It is hoped that the work of this research project will be the foundation on which a search for new exoplanets using the AURT can begin.

Discipline: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stefan Cartledge