Format

The report can be a standard format like a PASA paper:

http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=138

Abstract

Modify existing project description.

Introduction

The why. Why should we study exoplanets via photometry? What are the limitations, what are the benefits.
Different techniques of studying exoplanets - doppler etc. Why photometry is a feasable alternative.

For an "official" IAU listing of exoplanets look at:
http://www.dtm.ciw.edu/boss/planets.html

The discoveries most relevant are the transit and microlensing lists - both techniques use photometry.

From project description:
"INTRODUCTION The study of extrasolar planets (exoplanets) advances understanding of the formation and evolution of planetary systems and the search for extraterrestrial life. Exoplanets can be found and detected using photometry to measure the temporary drop in stellar brightness due to the (periodic) transit of the exoplanet in front of its star, as long as the orbit of the exoplanet is within an appropriate angle to our line of sight. Current professional surveys detecting exoplanets using transit and radial-velocity (Doppler wobble) techniques can benefit from photometry done by students and advanced amateur astronomers that find, confirm or add to knowledge about new exoplanets: http://www.transitsearch.org/"

1 page.

Theory

The technical side. Maths/physics behind photometry. Optics?
How photometry is done, including some mention of the hardware side of things.
Information on the telescope (hardware)
Information on software used to process images.
Information on the candidate star (in this case)
Lightcurve (maybe fourier analysis? mention - see Austnet:Freespace for data)

From Brad:
"This is based on calculating the telescope's limiting mFRagnitude and signal to noise using software packages that already exist on the web, for example: *Going to need to think about this one, looks tough"
http://www.tass-survey.org/richmond/signal.shtml

You can also compare the Mt Kent scope in terms of aperture, field of view and pixel scale to current search programs (as outlined for example at transitsearch.org)
All of this can be a compact and well-defined exercise with a succinct write-up. On the other hand, tackling the real data may well take too much time, even with IRIS.

Other websites of possible interest:
http://www.aavso.org/observing/programs/ccd/manual/ - ccd observing manual
http://www.aavso.org/news/gj436.shtml - example of type of science that can be done"

From project description:

"METHOD This project involves photometry of a known transiting exoplanet from the list at:
http://www.dtm.ciw.edu/boss/planets.html or from exoplanet discovery announcements (e.g.):
http:///www.transitsearch.org
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/news/article_1347.asp
http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/news/article_1403.asp
This project will verify that robotic photometry using Mt Kent Observatory can contribute to future exoplanet studies."

1 page

Observations

This is going to be the tough one. Since there are no actual observations, maybe some expected observations if the project was to go ahead.
Existing data on hd189733 regarding its photometry? - this is what we would expect to see?
Mention existing lightcurve- results should match this.

















http://www.citebase.org/fulltext?format=application%2Fpdf&identifier=oai%3AarXiv.org%3Aastro-ph%2F0702156



1 page

Results

Once again, a tough one. The post-processing of the data, how it would be processed, and what we would like the results to be.
How the software is used.
Maybe mention an error - if data falls within this error (compare to known photometry of star/planet) then it is feasable, if not, then isolate where the error might be and suggest a fix
Light curve
Extract a function if possible - alg&calc I



1 page

Discussion

Discuss the results, was it a good result?
Where changes could be made.
Expected outcomes for different equipment.

No idea how to discuss this!

From project description:
"DISCUSSION The project will be written up as an electronically prepared (e.g. powerpoint) “poster paper” (in lieu of a seminar) and as an electronic (e.g. word) written report formatted as for papers in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=138 "

Poster yes, easy, discussion, still nfi.

Poster Template:
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/posteradvice.htm

1 page

Conclusion

Did it work? did it not work?
We can assume in this case it will work, because hd189733, the 20", acquisition software and processing software are purpose built for this task.

1 page

References

Add to this as references are used.

Born again.

If I was christian, I would call this a ressurection. Thankfully I'm not religous.

This project has been restarted as a feasability study. From my understanding I am to continue with this project as if it was to go ahead, but at the point where the data is to be collected the data is to be assumed. The project then will continue as if the correct data was acquired and all processes/results will be formalised.