RESEARCH
Astrometry is a vital method for discovering non-transiting exoplanets; however, current techniques make it exceedingly hard to use due to the required submilliarcsecond precision. This research project focuses on enhancing astrometric techniques to discover non-transiting exoplanets using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission. Astrometry measures the subtle 'wobble' in a star's position caused by an orbiting exoplanet, which can reveal Earth-like planets in high-inclination orbits that other methods like Radial Velocity may miss...
In our project, we utilized data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in an attempt to discover an exoplanet. Designed to observe variations in light coming from thousands of objects in our galaxy, TESS provided us with potential planet candidates through a series of data reports. Using these reports, we compiled a list of candidates which fit a set criteria, and with the Leuschner Observatory, we observed said candidates. Through this, we attempted to confirm the existence of our monitored exoplanet...