Honors Theses and Capstones

Date of Award

Spring 2019

Project Type

Senior Thesis

College or School

CEPS

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Program or Major

Physics

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Advisor

James Ryan

Second Advisor

John Gianforte

Abstract

Using the University of New Hampshire Observatory, we performed multiple exoplanet transits observations on a variety of systems. Of these transits, those performed with ideal weather conditions were chosen to do extensive analysis on. The transit chosen for initial analysis was HAT-P-56b. We then used Z-Score values, along with the average mean and standard deviation collected from multiple transits to determine a minimum possible transit depth of 7.4 +/- 0.6 mmag. This value will allow UNH to access exoplanet transit observation and / or confirm potential exoplanets, thus making the UNH Observatory more research capable. A follow up threshold transit around 7 mmag will be performed and show that our limit is achievable.

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