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Observing Exoplanets

Although observing exoplanets is a tricky problem, it does not necessarily need to be done with the largest telescopes available. In 2005 two New Zealand amateur astronomers contributed vital observing time on 10inch/25cm and 14inch/35cm telescopes to identify a Jupiter mass planet about 3 AU away from its host star (the planet was called OGLE-2005-BLG-071). With a really good observing site and careful measurements anyone can observe exoplanets.

If you would like to be involved in observing exoplanets join this group, to receive news,updates and tutorials as part of this observing programme. 

Activities

Join our search for new planets

Group: Observing Exoplanets
04 March, 2009
Observe high priority microlensing events with an easy to follow techique, and possibly help discover an exoplanet.

Articles

What is a microlensing event?

Group: Extrasolar Planets • Observing Exoplanets
04 March, 2009

The discovery of the icy exoplanet OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb (just 5 times more massive than Earth) by the technique of gravitational microlensing provided the first observational hint that Earth-like planets are common in the Universe. The existence of this new world was revealed from a small blip in the brightness of the star, on just one night, but we will probably never be able to see it again by this method.  read more »

Blogs

New exoplanets turn planetary theory upside down

13 April, 2010

The discovery of nine new planets challenges the reigning theory of the formation of planets, according to new observations by astronomers, 2 of which for our own Dr Rachel Street and Dr Tim Lister .

Unlike the planets in our solar system, two of the newly discovered planets are orbiting in the opposite direction to the rotation of their host star. This upsets the primary theory of how planets are formed. The planets are called “exoplanets” because they are located outside of our solar system.  read more »

School blog about exoplanet observing

19 May, 2009

We’ve recently launched an exoplanet observing programme, and are looking for people to help with observing these very rare microlensing events. One such group in Ireland has already taken up the challenge and successfully observed 10 different candidates (each one multiple times). Each time the group meets they write a detailed blog entry about their experiences.  read more »