Camera Characterization and First Observation after Upgrade of Feder Observatory (Abstract)

Volume 47 number 1 (2019)

Isobel Snellenberger

1236 Belsly Boulevard, Moorhead, MN 56560; snellenbis@mnstate.edu

Adam Kline

1236 Belsly Boulevard, Moorhead, MN 56560; snellenbis@mnstate.edu

Abstract

(Abstract only) We prepared the Paul P. Feder Observatory at the Minnesota State University Moorhead Regional Science Center to observe exoplanet transits after recent upgrades of the camera and control system. We characterized the camera by measuring linearity, gain, read noise, and dark current. We also discuss how we minimize tracking error without a guide camera. We observed a transit of the exoplanet Kelt 16b, the first exoplanet transit observed with the new system. The goal is to observe exoplanet candidates identified by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).