1. Undergraduates Searching for Exoplanets and Finding the Unexpected
Richard P. Olenick, Arthur Sweeney, Laura Aumen, Andrew Bechter, Eric Bechter, Blaise Dufrain, Ramses Gonzalez, Matt Heuser, Nick Hedlesky, Alex Henderson, Anthony Kersting, James Meier, Matt Mellendez, Mark Rodriguez, Jeff Schneiderjan
Department of Physics, University of Dallas, Irving, TX USA

2. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Outline
Introduction
STExTS—Small Telescope Exoplanet Transit Search
Locations
Instruments
Research/Discoveries
Undergraduate student researchers
Area 1: W UMa binaries
Area 2: Intrinsic variable stars
Area 3: Exoplanet searches
Area 4: Cataclysmic variables
Using Remote Observatories
Advantages and Disadvantages
Summary
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

3. Introduction to STExTS
5 Years of Research = 13 Undergraduate Theses
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

4. Small Telescope Extrasolar Transit Searches STExTS
Similar to WASP
Telescopes: Use wide-angle astrographs
Approach: 28 – 35 nights photometric data of the same area
Initial data taken June 05 - July 06, 2012 of DoDz9
Approximately 250 images/night with 2000 stars/image
Total images ≈ 6.9 million data points per astrograph
Unlike WASP
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

5. Pitkin, CO Elevation 9,242 ft

6. Observational Campaign 2014 in the UP

7. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Astrographs
Photometric Errors: Fatboy
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

8. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Fatboy centered on SAO85344 N E
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

9. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Serena Centered on SAO66941 N E
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

10. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Sextractor Check Image
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

11. Research/Discoveries
Undergraduate researchers
Learn how to control the telescope (on-site or remotely).
Learn how to take data.
Take data for two months, weather permitting.
Learn how to reduce the images into photometric data and apply that knowledge.
Learn how to use software packages for analyses (Peranso, vartools, etc.)
Write up results (35-page thesis) with portions ready for incorporation in publications.
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

12. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Area 1: Close Binaries
Light Curves of Close Binaries:
GSC
Students reduce data and perform period analyses using Lomb-Scargle and ANOVA algorithms and O – C method.
The period obtained for GSC 2083–1870 is (3) d
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

13. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Area 1: Close Binaries
Students use PHOEBE to model the binaries and determine orbital and stellar parameters.
Parameter
Value
P0 [days]
(1)
a [R ]
q = M2/M1
i [0]
T1[K]
T2 [K] Ω1 Ω2
M1bol
M2bol
M1 [M ]
M2 [M ]
R1 [R]
R2 [R]
L1 [L]
L2 [L]
Log(g1)
Log(g2)
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

14. Area 2: Intrinsic Variable Stars
Students search through database of light curves for data they have taken for variable stars and perform periodogram analyses.
Phase Diagram
Characteristic of a RRab Lyrae variable
P = d
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

15. Area 2: Intrinsic Variable Stars
Examining Known Variable Stars
LW Her Periodogram P = d
Phase Diagram
Notice the alternating amplitudes, discovered by a student, classifying the star as a RRd Lyrae.
Alternating maxima indicating a period 2 behavior
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

16. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Area 3: Exoplanets
Two STExTs Exoplanet Candidates
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

17. Area 3: Extrasolar Planets
Students search database of light curves for potential transits then extract the four parameters through models of the light curves.
A “five equation family tree” that shows what can be calculated using only the four measured parameters listed at the top. Using these four parameters, the impact parameter (b) and the stellar density (ρ*) can be calculated. From these can be found the stellar mass (M*), the semi-major axis of the system (a), the orbital inclination (i), the stellar radius (R*), and the planetary radius (RP).
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

18. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Area 3: Exoplanets
PARAMETERS FROM MODELING
Period (d)
Qtran
Qin
depth
Star
Ntran B V
Temp
Epoch
1126 16
12.34
11.74
5867
1286 11
12.35
10.86
4008
1116 10
11.88
11.01
5114
4060 23
13.16
12.4
5405
0195 15
12.25
10.79
4044
2018 12
11.75
11.39
6904
0825 13
13.59
12.56
4802
From light curves and catalogs
From BLS modeling (vartools)
From period analysis
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

19. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Area 3: Exoplanets
Planetary Properties
Calculated Properties of Exoplanets and Stars
Star b
rho ( kg/m3)
M*/Msun
a (AU)
R*/Rsun
inc ( 0 )
Rp/RJ
ηp *
1126
0.594
1318
1.050
0.017
1.039
80.30
1.145
0.76
1286
0.567
649
1.741
0.028
1.558
81.55
2.079
0.77
1116
0.617
1641
0.897
0.020
0.917
82.27
1.191
0.74
4060
0.507
10574
0.237
0.005
0.316
81.05
0.466
0.78
0195
0.682
540
1.985
0.023
1.731
75.95
1.756
2018
0.638
2210
0.725
0.016
0.774
81.83
1.006
0.70
0825
0.521
3147
0.564
0.014
0.632
83.53
1.094
Stellar Properties
*For an exoplanet event ηp < 1 whereas ηp > 1 usually designates stellar events (blends, grazing binaries), Tingsley, 2005.
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

20. Area 4: Cataclysmic Variables
Kepler K2 Guest Observer
Ground-based observations of Am CVn targets in Campaign 14
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

21. Remote Observatories University of North Texas Monroe Observatory
Software
AutoCCD
Set start, end times
Set camera temperature
Take bias and dark frames
Track guide star
TeamViewer
Access observatory controls
Access telescope and camera controls.
University of North Texas Monroe Observatory
16-in used by students to take data on cataclysmic variables
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

22. Remote Observatories: UNT Monroe
Fatboy Field for Summer 2015
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

23. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Remote Observatories
Twin Serena-type astrographs
Dark Skies Observatory Collaborative
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

24. Remote Observatories Nightly Routine Startup: Calibration: Data:
Monroe Roof – Turn on power, open roof
MaximDL – Set Camera Temperature
Calibration:
TheSkyX Pro – Mount Control
MaximDL – Camera Control
Data:
MaximDL – Darks, Biased, Flat-Fields, Raw Images
Guiding:
CCDAutoPilot – Session Schedule
MaximDL – Guiding Camera
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

25. Data Pipeline Final Light Curve Data Storage Analysis Error Removal
MySQL Database
Analysis
Peranso: Periodogram & Phase Diagram
Error Removal
SysRem
Astrometry
Star Extractor
Image Calibration
AIP4Windows
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

26. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Analysis
Periodograms
Performed on interesting candidates
Phase diagrams made
Raw Data
Calibration
Bias Frames
Dark frames
Flat fields
O – C Calculations
Calculated magnitudes based on the period
Determined the error between the observed and the calculated magnitudes
Visual Search
Interesting candidates identified by looking at light curves individually
Photometry
Light curves found for each star
SYSREM algorithm reduces systematic error
Astrometry
PinPoint software
Relates each star in image to known stars in UCAC4 catalog
Change Peranso EEBLS to O – C Calculations
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

27. EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Summary
Students learn/participate in all phases of research: data acquisition, data reduction, data analysis, modeling for a variety of exciting research endeavors.
Students gain valuable experience working as team members.
Students learn persistence, responsibility, and reliability is necessary in science.
Students from the University use remote observing telescopes in west Texas and TX-OK border.
EWASS 2017 SS3 Undergraduate Research in Astronomy

28. Undergraduates Searching for Exoplanets and Finding the Unexpected
Richard P. Olenick, Arthur Sweeney, Laura Aumen, Andrew Bechter, Eric Bechter, Blaise Dufrain, Ramses Gonzalez, Matt Heuser, Nick Hedlesky, Alex Henderson, Anthony Kersting, James Meier, Matt Mellendez, Mark Rodriguez, Jeff Schneiderjan
Department of Physics, University of Dallas, Irving, TX USA