Democratizing & Enhancing Exoplanet Research with the Unistellar Citizen Science Network & Astronomy Modeling Instruction

Democratizing & Enhancing Exoplanet Research with the Unistellar Citizen Science Network & Astronomy Modeling Instruction

This thesis explores the potential in democratizing and augmenting exoplanet research via citizen science by utilizing a global network of portable image-intensified computerized telescopes, and inquiry-based astronomy instruction. A central objective is to establish that citizen scientists, using exoplanet transit photometry with compact, connected telescopes, can bolster professional astronomy’s reliance on a limited number of large professional telescopes for exoplanet follow-up, discovery, and characterization. This research also investigates the efficiency of the Modeling Instruction Astronomy pedagogy, underscoring that teachers, even without specialized training, can effectively engage in astrophysics research (e.g., exoplanets) and enrich the educational experience for their students. Pivotal insights from this thesis include publishable scientific results from the Unistellar Exoplanet Campaign, with >1,000 exoplanet observations from 163 citizen scientists across 21 countries and a 43.2% transit detection success rate. This work refined the orbit of Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) planet candidates and improved mid-transit times (e.g., TOI 2031.01), highlighting the value of a globally distributed citizen science network in providing extended transit photometry across multiple time zones. In a corresponding education study, integrating stellar and exoplanet data into the Global Hands-on Universe (G-HOU) framework and using the Modeling Instruction pedagogy enhanced both teacher and student astronomical understanding, self-efficacy, and engagement. Following a workshop, teachers mostly without prior astronomy experience incorporated a depth of astrophysical content into their high school curricula that often surpassed what's found in many university-level introductory astronomy courses. Finally, this thesis confirms the discovery of the TESS single-transit dense warm sub-Saturn, TIC 139270665 b, identified with the help of citizen scientists and confirmed with the Doppler method and transit photometry. The Unistellar citizen science network provided vital photometric data, with high school students significantly contributing to this exoplanet through an “AstroReMixEd” (Astrophysics Research Mixed with Education) effort. The discovery of this unique sub-Saturn also offers a promising avenue for refining our understanding of planetary formation and evolution models. While the core of this thesis emphasizes advancement in exoplanet research, it concurrently highlights the significance of integrating professional astrophysics exoplanet endeavors with pioneering educational strategies.

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