Opens in a new windowOpens an external siteOpens an external site in a new windowToggle navigationClose audio optionsPlay videoClose modalPreviousNextToggle audio voice overToggle ambient music
As exoplanets pass in front of their star, they block some of the starlight. While it's not enough of a difference in brightness to see with our eyes, computers are great at noticing these small differences.
Get a quick introduction to explanets, how we observe transits, and what a transit lightcurve tells you in this hands-on activity from Sonoma State's Astronomy from Home (AfH) Project
Observe a transiting exoplanet using a robotic telescope
DIY Planet Search teaches you how astronomers perform multi-object photometry to extract the time-varying brightness of a transit from raw astronomical images
DIY Planet Search demonstrates the data reduction steps conducted with EXOTIC
Try the Beginner Tutorial to learn how to use EXOTIC to make a light curve
Use Exoplanet Watch's official data reduction tool EXOTIC to analyze a sample dataset of the transiting exoplanet, HAT-P-32b, to produce your own transit lightcurve and measure this planet's transit depth and mid-transit time. Use the Beginner Tutorial to learn how EXOTIC works, then use the Standard version of EXOTIC to produce light curves with your own data sets.
Videos
Introduction to Exoplanets
Exploring Exoplanets with NASA's Universe of Learning: SESSION 1: Introduction to Exoplanets
How to Make a Light Curve using DIY Planet Search
Exploring Exoplanets with NASA's Universe of Learning: SESSION 2: How to Make a Light Curve using DIY Planet Search
Introduction to Exoplanet Watch and EXOTIC
Exploring Exoplanets with NASA's Universe of Learning: SESSION 3: Exoplanet Watch
The Exoplanet Research Workshop is a group-led project intended to bring the astronomy research seminar experience to a larger population of high school students. Workshop participants contribute research findings to NASA’s Exoplanet Watch, a citizen science initative.
Get a quick introduction to explanets, how we observe transits, and what a transit lightcurve tells you in this hands-on activity from Sonoma State's Astronomy from Home (AfH) Project
Observe a transiting exoplanet using a robotic telescope
The NASA Exoplanet Archive features all confirmed exoplanets that can be seen with the use of a telescope -- here you can directly access to these targets and their system parameters!
Swarthmore Transit Finder - choose your location and date or range of dates, and see which exoplanets will be visible, as well as characteristics of the star, exoplanet, and light curve. Select Exoplanet Watch Targets to see which exolpanets we recommend observing.
Welcome to DIY Planet Search. YOU are about to take part in one of the most exciting fields of science–the search for other worlds! Using the MicroObservatory Telescope Network that you control online, you´ll take your own images of distant solar systems, interpret and share the data you gather, and become part of a community of planet hunters!
In this this edition of NASA’s Universe of Learning Science Briefings, speakers share content about exoplanets, which are planets around other stars. Dr. Dressing discusses searching for planets orbiting red dwarf stars and TESS's role in this endeavor. Dr. Ciardi talks about the difficulties in finding Earth-mass and Earth-sized planets around Sun-like stars. Dr. Lewis discusses exoplanet atmospheric characterization using the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes, and future prospects with the James Webb Space Telescope. In addition to these perspectives, we highlight several resources relating to this content.
Help your community explore the wonders of NASA science, and celebrate the contributions of women to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)!
Libraries and community-based organizations are invited to collaborate with the NASA's Universe of Learning informal education program and partners to empower women’s success—especially in science—starting when they are young. Through Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA, venues may host events, work with subject matter experts, and display exhibits. Events and resources are available and open to all family members, but focus on engaging girls by using field-tested activities and strategies.
