Citizen scientists confirm new warm Jovian-class exoplanet

Citizen scientists confirm new warm Jovian-class exoplanet
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 22, 2024

Two teams of dedicated amateur astronomers, supported by NASA, have successfully confirmed the existence of a new exoplanet, a "warm Jupiter," using their backyard telescopes.

The teams, known as UNITE (UNISTELLAR Network Investigating TESS Exoplanets) and Exoplanet Watch, combined their efforts to validate the discovery of this exoplanet, which is now designated as TIC 393818343 b (also known as TOI 6883 b).

"I pinch myself every day when I recall that I have made a meaningful scientific contribution to astronomy by helping professional astronomers confirm and characterize a new exoplanet," said Darren Rivett, an Australian volunteer who played a key role in the discovery.

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our solar system, and they can be detected when they pass in front of their host stars, causing a temporary dimming of the star's light-a phenomenon known as a "transit." NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) observes thousands of these dimming events, but confirmation of a new exoplanet requires multiple observed transits and additional data checks.

This is where the collaboration between the UNITE and Exoplanet Watch teams made a significant impact.

The process began when the UNISTELLAR and SETI Institute team identified a single transit signal from the TESS telescope. They then calculated the next expected transit and alerted the UNITE and Exoplanet Watch teams to observe the star during that period. The combined efforts of these amateur astronomers resulted in two additional transit detections, confirming the existence of the exoplanet.

This exoplanet, categorized as a "warm Jupiter," is a giant planet that orbits closer to its host star than Jupiter does to the Sun. It is even predicted that under certain conditions, the planet could migrate further inward, potentially becoming a "hot Jupiter." Regardless of its future, the collaboration between professional and amateur astronomers has brought us closer to understanding exoplanets outside our Solar System. The findings have been published in the *Astronomical Journal*, with all participating citizen scientists, including a high school student, recognized as co-authors in the paper titled "

UNITE uses a global network of observers equipped with UNISTELLAR telescopes to monitor TESS exoplanet candidates and long-duration transits. Anyone, regardless of their telescope type or citizenship, can get involved by visiting here.

Participation in these citizen science projects is open to everyone. "What I find amazing about the NASA citizen science project is that they involve people from all around the world contributing meaningful observation data that leads to incredible discoveries!" said Sophie Saibi, a high school student from California who participated. Rivett added, "Researching as a citizen scientist is something I highly recommend to anyone who gazes at the night sky with awe and wonder."

Research Report:Confirmation and Characterization of the Eccentric, Warm Jupiter TIC 393818343 b with a Network of Citizen Scientists