Exploring Statistical Correlations in Exoplanet Transit Parameters: A Study of Over 250 Light Curves by Citizen Scientists from Developing Countries

Volume 53 number 2 (2025)

Miracle Chibuzor Marcel: Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory; www.pacselab.space, miracle.c.marcel@gmail.com
Pius Privatus: Department of Natural Sciences, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Iyunga 53119, Mbeya, Tanzania
Barivure Love Popnwin: Centre for Space Research, Physics Department, North-West University, 11 Hoffman Street, 2520 Potchefstroom, South Africa
Hosea Tonzai Favour: University of Abuja, Kilometer 23, Abuja Airport Road, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria
Mohamed Mostafa Elattar: Hangzhou International Campus, Beihang University (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics), Hangzhou, China
Asmaa Rhandour: FEG Settat, ISTA Sidi Maarouf, 83000 Taroudant, Morocco
Abdel Aziz Kassamba Diaby: Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère, UFR-SSMT, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Suvo Sengupta: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, Vigyanpuri, Berhampur, Odisha 760003, India
Mohamed E. Abdelrazek: Astronomy, Space Science, and Meteorology department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo University, 1 Gamaa Street, Giza 12613, Egypt
Bingunmeh Justpa Gukuu: University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani–Berekum Road, Sunyani-Fiapre, BS0016, Ghana
Aya Sabry Abd El Maboad Tolba: Faculty of Computers and Information, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
Salah El-Din Amer Makki: Al-Dawodi Secondary School, 14 Ramadan Street, Al-Mansour, Abu Ghraib, Baghdad 10013, Iraq
Dinh Nguyen Yen Nhi: Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA, Kamhlaba Road, Mbabane, Hhohho H100, Eswatini
Daniel Ayorinde Obajemu: Harvest Intercontinental American University, 01000 Monrovia, Liberia
Vladyslav Andrukhiv: Public Institution “Richelieu Science Lyceum,” Odesa, Ukraine
Mina Wagdy Reyad Gerges: United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 15551, UAE
Veronicah Nyambura Kihagi: Kenyatta University, Thika Road, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Ofentse Saena Sebulela: University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng 0002, South Africa
Victoria Kaminska: Odesa Lyceum No. 90, Odesa, Ukraine
Lynne Wonder Kariuki: University of Nairobi, Chiromo Campus, University Way, Off Riverside Drive, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Idris Abubakar Sani: Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSS), NASRDA, Nigeria
Sofiia Lys: Mykola Sabat Scientific Lyceum of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine
Basmala Sallam: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
Daria Cagle: National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute,” Kharkiv, Ukraine

Abstract

This study analyzes sixteen statistical correlations among key exoplanet transit parameters using 254 light curves produced by citizen scientists in the NASA Exoplanet Watch project, coordinated by the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory (PACS e-Lab). We investigated how parameters including transit depth, duration, stellar magnitude (Vmag), number of images, residual scatter, detection significance, and telescope aperture interact to determine data quality. Our methodology employed logarithmic transformations and Pearson correlation analysis. The results reveal a clear hierarchy of influencing factors, with residual scatter and number of images identified as the strongest predictors of detection confidence, eclipsing the influence of the transit signal itself. Furthermore, we found that participants intuitively employ adaptive strategies, such as acquiring more images for fainter stars, demonstrating that methodological choices can mitigate physical observing constraints. The work confirms several theoretical expectations from signal-to-noise models while also revealing important observational biases, such as a prevalence of easily detectable “hot Jupiters” that skew population-level trends. This study demonstrates that citizen scientists using modest telescopes can generate robust, scientifically valuable data when supported by standardized tools. The findings provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance future observational campaigns and underscore the potential of citizen science to contribute meaningfully to exoplanet research, particularly in building scientific capacity in developing regions.