CHOICE Course: Introduction to Exoplanet Observing

Instructor: Dennis Conti

The purpose of this course is to provide newcomers to exoplanet observing with the background and skills necessary to conduct high quality exoplanet observations. The course will be conducted via a series of 1.5-hour interactive Zoom sessions held once a week at 7:30pm ET for 5 consecutive weeks.

The course will begin with an overview of the various types of exoplanets, the techniques used to detect them, and why ground-based observations are necessary to supplement space-based telescopes. Emphasis will be placed on the “transit” detection method. The course will then review the best practices in conducting exoplanet observations, including the minimal set of instrumentation and the steps needed to conduct an exoplanet observation. Participants will also be taught the use of AstroImageJ—an all-in-one (freeware) software package that is used by both professional and amateur astronomers when conducting exoplanet observations.

“A Practical Guide to Exoplanet Observing,’ the latest version of which can be found at http://astrodennis.com, will be used as the basis for the course. Also, during the first week of the course, participants will be asked to install the latest version of AIJ (instructions on how to do so will be provided to course registrants).

Although not required, familiarity with the use of CCD or CMOS cameras for deep sky imaging would be beneficial.

Successful completion of the course will be based on attendance and participation during the live sessions. In addition, participants will be expected to complete a weekly assignment after each session.