Stull Observatory Exoplanet Transits

Abstract

The search for life beyond Earth has inspired research for hundreds of years. In order to search for life, we must look to the places that could harbor it: exoplanets. Exoplanet is an abbreviation for the term Extrasolar Planets, meaning planets around stars other than our Sun. This thesis explores and analyzes the methods used to observe, track, and study exoplanets, as well as the types of knowledge that may be gained as a result. The thesis includes a firsthand transit observation study of the exoplanet WASP-12b.