1745B_Assignment3_FW2122_DIRECTIONS
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York University *
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1745B
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Astronomy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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NATS 1745B Assignment 3: Exoplanets due: FRI MAR 11 2022, 12:00noon (on Turnitin) weight: 15% This project entails a study of the process of discovery and properties of exoplanets
, planets that orbit around stars other than our Sun. This project has 3 components: 1.
A study of how astronomers find exoplanets via the transit method, using real astronomical data. 2.
A study of how astronomers find exoplanets via the Doppler Shift or radial velocity method. 3.
A short research paper on a particular exoplanetary system Submit your assignment online through turnitin
as a pdf, with the file name: LastName_StudentNumber_1745B_Assignment3 Part 1: Transit Method Exercise and Questions The transit method uses the light curve
, which tracks the brightness of a star over time. Any periodic decrease or dip in brightness may be due to a planet transiting, or crossing in front of the star. Light curves for four stars are given on the attached sheets below. For each light curve, follow the described method to estimate the planetary period and average distance from the planet to the star. You will enter your answers in a Table in the TEMPLATE file. Answer the questions on the transit method given in the TEMPLATE file. Part 2: Doppler Shift or Radial Velocity Method Questions The Doppler shift or radial velocity method uses information about the periodic motion of a star due to one or more planets orbiting around the star. This information is gathered using the spectra from a star, collected over a period of time. Answer the questions, and describe this method used to find exoplanets in the TEMPLATE file. Part 3 Essay on an Exoplanetary System Choose an exoplanetary system, and write an essay that includes the following: (3-4 pages of text; 12-point double spaced, plus references and figures)
•
a detailed description of the method
of detecting the exoplanet (e.g. transit method, doppler shift method, or some combination, or some other method; include telescopes used and observers if named) •
the structure and layout of the system (i.e. number of planets discovered, distance from star, eccentricity/shape of orbits, masses of planets) •
type/class of star •
definition for a ‘habitable planet’
, and whether scientists think the planet may or may not be in the habitable zone (discuss the data used –
is it just distance from the star, or is there other evidence of something like water?) •
any unusual facts about or properties of the planet •
references in APA or MLA format (reference all images used; see “
How to write an essay on a scientific topic
” on moodle)
•
proper use of in text citations Research starting points •
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/ •
new results: https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/docs/exonews_archive.html https://www.space.com/biggest-exoplanet-discoveries-2021 https://scitechdaily.com/a-whopping-301-newly-confirmed-exoplanets-discovered-with-
new-deep-neural-network-exominer/ https://www.space.com/best-alien-planet-discoveries-2019.html http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/exoplanets/ https://www.space.com/search-for-life https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/alien-worlds/strange-new-worlds/ https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/news/1671/discovery-alert-burning-questions-for-a-hot-super-
earth/ •
NASA Finds Closest Earth Twin Yet http://www.space.com/30026-earth-twin-kepler-452b-exoplanet-discovery.html •
exoplanet with a moon https://news.columbia.edu/news/astronomers-find-evidence-second-exomoon •
TESS https://www.nasa.gov/feature/citizen-scientists-spot-jupiter-like-planet-in-nasa-tess-data https://www.nasa.gov/content/latest-tess-stories •
HARPS project https://www.eso.org/public/science/exoplanets/ http://phl.upr.edu/projects/habitable-exoplanets-catalog •
high level paper on exoplanets’ atmospheres (can read intro & conclusion) https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1086/683115 •
biosignatures: https://depts.washington.edu/astrobio/wordpress/research-areas/exoplanets-detection-
habitability-biosignatures/ •
https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/detecting-lifes-influence-on-planetary-atmospheres/
Any plagiarized work will automatically be dealt with according to the York Senate Policy on Academic Honesty.
http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/academic-honesty-senate-
policy-on/ See: http://www.yorku.ca/tutorial/academic_integrity/plagcite3.html for general citation guidelines, as well as the file How to write an essay about a scientific topic posted on our eClass page. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note:
Plagiarism is increasingly common at York. Please make sure that what you hand in is entirely your own work, written in your own words
. If you need help with your writing, make use of York’s writing centre https://writing-centre.writ.laps.yorku.ca/services/one-to-one-writing-support/ or the ESL writing centre https://eslolc.laps.yorku.ca/ Start your essay early so you have enough time to get the support you need. Turnitin is used to check if your essay contains identical sections as other submitted work, previous work, work in the Turnitin database or work from the web. If Turnitin gives you a high similarity score, re-write your paper and re-submit before the deadline If you use a tutor, make sure the tutor is giving you assistance and not writing your essay. Never buy essays. Never get a ‘friend’ to writ
e an essay for you. If you plagiarize, you will get caught
, and be dealt with according to York’s Senate policy.
https://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/academic-honesty-senate-policy-on/
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Part 1: Transit Method Exercise
Method From the following 4 light curves, for Stars 1, 2, 3, and 4: 1.
Estimate the period (P) in days (just visually estimate from the graphs) 2.
Convert the period in days to years 3.
Use Kepler’s 3
rd
Law: P
2
= M a
3
where P = period in years, M = mass of star in solar masses (M
ʘ
), a = average distance from planet to star in Astronomical Units (AU) Note –
if you can’t do the calculation... use the app at
https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/kepler-third-law 4.
The spectral type is given for each star. M can be obtained from Table 1 below. 5.
Summarize your answers in the Table in the TEMPLATE file. 6.
Answer the general questions on the transit technique in the TEMPLATE file. Table 1: Stellar Masses (in units of solar masses, M
ʘ
) Sp Type 05 B0 B5 A0 A5 F0 F5 G0 G5 K0 K5 M0
M5 St Mass 40 17 7.0 3.5 2.2 1.8 1.4 1.07 0.93 0.81 0.69 0.48
0.22
Star 1: F5 class Star 2: G0 class
Star 3: B0 class Star 4: M0 class
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