Step-by-Step walkthrough of how to use this page, part of our Beginner's Playlist
No matter where you are on Earth, it's likely that at least a few transiting exoplanets will be visible TONIGHT! This page has tools and information to help you find where and when to point your telescope. Embedded below is the Swarthmore Transit Finder, an online tool for planning your own observations of any transiting exoplanet for advanced users.
Just getting started? Keep reading...
Exoplanet Watch Beginner Observation Campaigns
May 2024
Northern Hemisphere: WASP-14 b, HD 189733 b
Southern Hemisphere: MASCARA-4 b, WASP-178 b
If you have a target that you would like Exoplanet Watch to observe for you, please reach out to us on Slack or email us at exoplanetwatch@jpl.nasa.gov. Each month, we highlight "beginner campaigns" above (frequent, relatively easy targets) as suggested starting points for new observers. However, Exoplanet Watchers are always welcome to observe any transits they wish!
See below for calendars of other recommended targets, but there are always more for the intrepid Watcher! Beware of weather that might disrupt your observations, as well as general safety of nightime observing. Remember that even partial transits due to daylight/moonlight/weather can still be useful.
Click your continent/region to expand the calendar, and click a calendar item to see Right Ascencion (hours:minutes:seconds) and Declination (degrees:minutes:seconds), as well as a link to a finding chart.
All times are in UTC and provide only approximate timing, depending on your location. Find more advanced targets and exact timings in the Swarthmore Transit Finder
For best results, check the exact timing for your latitude and longitude for any given transit down below. You can search upcoming transits so that you know when and where to look for them. Remember the above calendars are approximate depending on your exact location in your region, and are a simple tool for those who aren't sure how to start.
Transits typically last a couple of hours, with some extreme cases lasting upwards of six or more. Even partial transit observations can still be useful, but when possible, observing about an hour before and after the transit yields the best results.
Swarthmore Transit Finder:
This is an online tool to find out when and where to look for more exoplanets in your local area. Depending on your location within your continent, there may be other targets that are better and/or more challenging for advanced users than listed above (e.g. the complete transit occurs above your horizon, better airmass, smaller transits, dimmer objects, etc.). Remember that even gathering data on partial transits from your location can be useful. Wishing you clear skies!