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Ground-Based Follow-Up Observations of TESS Exoplanet Candidates

AJAS · 2020 Physics and Astronomy (inferred)

Sarah Tang · Colorado-Wyoming Academy of Science, The

Overview

The goal of this study was to further confirm, characterize, and classify LHS3844b, an exoplanet detected by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Additionally, I strove to determine the likeliness of LHS3844b and similar planets as qualified candidates for spectroscopic observation with the future James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). These objectives were accomplished by analyzing the transit light curve graph, theoretical emission spectroscopy metric (ESM), and theoretical Planck spectrum of LHS3844b. I remotely obtained pre-reduced ground-based followup data of LHS3844b from the El Sauce Observatory; these data were taken on September 6, 2018. Through AstroImageJ - a graphical user interface - and the Python programming language, I converted the calibrated data images into normalized and fitted transit light curve graphs. Chi-squared goodness of fit tests were used to isolate the best-fit light curve model, and chi-squared maps were used to determine the 1σ error bars for all of my planetary calculations. Through my best-fit transit light curve model, I classified LHS3844b as a Terran planet. The calculated ESM of LHS3844b surpassed the projected threshold for simulated planets deemed qualified for JWST spectroscopic followup, and the Planck spectrum of LHS3844b revealed that the observed wavelengths between 6,000 and 10,000 nanometers would produce the most accurate spectroscopic observations of LHS3844b and like planets. These findings will improve the accuracy and efficiency of spectroscopic followups done by the JWST, and I intend to apply these methods to different exoplanet classes to gain knowledge regarding the future observation methods of a larger variety of TESS candidates.

Competition history

  • AJAS 2020 Category not listed

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Source: AAAS Annual Meeting (Confex) / American Junior Academy of Science

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