Analysis of Autoguiding for Exoplanet Transit Research at the UNH Observatory

Author

Anthony CappuccioFollow

Date of Award

Spring 2019

Project Type

Senior Thesis

College or School

CEPS

Department

Physics

Program or Major

Physics with an Option in Astronomy

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Advisor

John S. Gianforte

Abstract

This paper will discuss the proper calibration technique for an autoguider of a CCD camera and the results that follow from successful exoplanet transit observations. A brief background on exoplanets, the transit method, and the analysis of their parent stars through photometry will be examined. The results will be presented in a before and after framework that will visually represent the data improvements from autoguiding as graphical Light Curves (LC). The addition of being able to autoguide at the UNH observatory will work towards providing future students with the possibility of performing follow-up ground-based observations and archiving their work online to aid the entire astronomy community.

Recommended Citation

Cappuccio, Anthony, "Analysis of Autoguiding for Exoplanet Transit Research at the UNH Observatory" (2019). Honors Theses and Capstones. 476.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/476