Exoplanet Watch
Exoplanet Watch — How to Contribute
If You Have Your Own Telescope
(If Not, Skip to the Next Section)
The exact setup can vary, but in general a 4″ or larger telescope with tripod, tracking mount, camera, and control software/laptop are needed for Exoplanet Watch observations. For more specific details, check out the following resources and come discuss options in our #observing Slack channel!
Exoplanet Watch Observer’s Manual
This manual is designed as a resource to instruct both beginning and advanced observers on how to begin participating with Exoplanet Watch by making observations of transiting exoplanets.
This document covers the basic ideas and processes behind exoplanet photometry, walks through the required equipment as well as recommended observing systems, details the data acquisition process as well as potential pitfalls and issues one may encounter, and finally explains the data reduction process in which your observations are turned into light curves of the exoplanet you observed.
A Practical Guide to Exoplanet Observing
Observing exoplanets may take some practice, but anyone can do it! Here’s an introduction to observing an exoplanet with your own telescope.
This guide by Dennis Conti gives you a great look into ‘best practices’ when observing exoplanets.
What to Observe
We’ll show you how to pick targets and plan your own exoplanet observations. You can look up which exoplanets will be visible at or near your location using the Swarthmore Transit Finder. We list exoplanets that will be visible in different regions of the world. We also have observing campaigns related to upcoming missions, so that you can help professional astronomers use time more efficiently, freeing up time for other astronomers to make observations.
If You Do Not Have Your Own Telescope
(or if it is light polluted or cloudy where you live)
Additional Resources
What to Observe
You are welcome to observe any transiting exoplanet. We also identify priority targets every day for each region around the world. These targets are likely to be observed in the future by large telescopes, but have relatively large uncertainty in their timing and therefore require follow-up by Exoplanet Watch participants.
Regardless of the target you choose to observe, we recommend that you check that it is visible from your exact location using either the NASA Exoplanet Archive’s Transit and Ephemeris Service or Swarthmore’s Transit Finder.
Exoplanets usually take several hours to transit, or pass in front of, the star they orbit. You will need to take a picture every few minutes, from an hour before the transit begins, through the whole transit, and for an hour after the …