The Exoplanet Transit Survey and the AAVSO (Abstract)

Volume 48 number 1 (2020)

Robert Zellem

4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109; Robert.T.Zellem@jpl.nasa.gov

Anya Biferno

address correspondence to Robert Zellem, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109; Robert.T.Zellem@jpl.nasa.gov

Ethan Blaser

address correspondence to Robert Zellem, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109; Robert.T.Zellem@jpl.nasa.gov

Alexandra Iterralde

address correspondence to Robert Zellem, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109; Robert.T.Zellem@jpl.nasa.gov

Kyle Pearson

address correspondence to Robert Zellem, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109; Robert.T.Zellem@jpl.nasa.gov

John Engelke

address correspondence to Robert Zellem, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109; Robert.T.Zellem@jpl.nasa.gov

Abstract

(Abstract only) The amount of uncertainty in the ephemerides of confirmed planets can grow increasingly large over time. Therefore, it is critical that these uncertainties be reduced via regular maintenance since future atmospheric characterization studies will be conducted using the precious resources of future space telescopes, such as JWST. This talk will discuss a community-wide program that leverages the small telescope resources of amateur astronomers, small universities, and community colleges to conduct ground-based follow-up observations to reduce such uncertainties. This project—the Exoplanet Transit Survey (ETS)—will include a partnership with the AAVSO that will provide ETS with a base of qualified AAVSO exoplanet observers, as well as the AAVSO Exoplanet Database for archiving the follow-up observations.