My first attempt at detecting an exoplanet

[Dave Smith]

Thanks John. In theory I would agree with you but it would take tons of determination which I do not have. I think I will leave that to the space telescopes 

I have a suspicion that I will not be able to improve on this as my scope is just 90mm and exoplanets that show a larger dip also seem to be quite a bit fainter (2-3 mags) which would mean longer exposures and hence fewer data points. I might try one more with much more data before and after the transit probably in the Autumn now.

Dave

[robin_astro]

Stan Waterman's survey work  is a good example of the sort of dedication needed to actually find a new exoplanet. (over 100k images to date tracking several hundred thousand stars since 2000, predating the similar Kepler mission by several years. No exoplanets found as far as I know but loads of new interesting variables.

http://www.stanwaterman.co.uk/variablestars/

https://www.britastro.org/vss/Stan Waterman Winchester 2017.pdf

Robin

 

 

[Dave Smith]

14 hours ago, robin_astro said:

Stan Waterman's survey work  is a good example of the sort of dedication needed to actually find a new exoplanet. (over 100k images to date tracking several hundred thousand stars since 2000, predating the similar Kepler mission by several years. No exoplanets found as far as I know but loads of new interesting variables.

http://www.stanwaterman.co.uk/variablestars/

https://www.britastro.org/vss/Stan Waterman Winchester 2017.pdf

Robin

 

 

Thanks for that Robin. It is an impressive amount of work and devotion.

I went to Winchester in 2017 just for the variable star section meeting as the full event was fully booked. Did he give that talk then? My memory isn't too good these days. (I did go to the full meeting this year)

Dave

[robin_astro]

Hi Dave,

Not sure if it was in the VSS or main meeting as I didn't go to Winchester in 2017 but I did see a couple of presentations by Stan at earlier BAAVSS meetings. Very impressive stuff !

Robin

EDIT: there is another presentation at the Eccles meeting in 2011 which I did see

http://www.britastro.org/vss/eccles11.htm

[Dave Smith]

Thanks again Robin. I recognise a few people in the photo.

I see you are giving a talk at the upcoming BAA/AAVSO meeting. I look forward to that.

Dave

[jag32]

Dave, great work. Would you mind detailing your complete setup including scope, camera, mount, etc?

[Dave Smith]

2 hours ago, jag32 said:

Dave, great work. Would you mind detailing your complete setup including scope, camera, mount, etc?

The scope is a Megrez 90 with 0.8x FR mounted on an NEQ6. The camera is an Atik 460 EX mono with a V filter. I hope that helps. I use the plate solving facility of SGPro to get the star in the centre of the FOV. 

Dave

[skybadger]

In the same topic and without trying to hijack it too far, has anyone done any wide star field photometry to check techniques and discovery rates ? Ie use a 400mm scope and DSLR to take repeated dense field photos and obtain time series of all the stars in the field.

It's something I've been trying to find the time to do, probably when I get the dome drive finally sorted.

 

 

[Dave Smith]

I don't know the answer, but it would seem that many nova discoveries are made with a 200mm lens and DSLR.

Dave

[skybadger]

I did a quick search and thus seems to cover most of it ...

http://jkess.org/journal/article.php?code=56070 for a DSLR. 

What are you using ?

[Dave Smith]

I'm using Muniwin which is free software that produces files suitable for submission to the BAA and/or AAVSO

Dave

[skybadger]

No, I meant camera which I see you have already stated . I assume that's a mono ?

[Dave Smith]

Yes as stated above !!

Dave

[skybadger]

When I read I shall have to take in more..?

[Dave Smith]

2 minutes ago, skybadger said:

When I read I shall have to take in more..?

?

Dave