Date: Monday 07-Apr-2025
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Location: ATL 1250 and Zoom (contact host Megan Weiner Mansfield for link)
Speaker: Amy Tuson (NASA GSFC / UMBC)
Title: Long-Period Exoplanets and Solar System Asteroids with TESS
Abstract: In this seminar, I will present two projects that capitalise on the unique observing strategy of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
Firstly, due to its 27d observing baseline, TESS is biased towards the discovery of short-period exoplanets. To increase the yield of long-period exoplanets (≳ 20d), I use TESS "duotransits". These are planet candidates with two observed transits separated by a large gap, meaning follow-up observations are required to determine their orbital period. I created a specialised pipeline to discover TESS “duotransits”, which I then follow-up with the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS). I will present my pipeline, its new discoveries and the sample of 20 small, long-period planets uncovered by TESS and CHEOPS, including the Neptune-mass planet TOI-5678 b and the bright multi-planet system HD 15906.
Secondly, due to its all-sky nature, TESS is observing thousands of solar system asteroids. This offers the unique opportunity to homogeneously study a large sample of asteroids and improve our knowledge of their rotation period distribution and binary fraction. To facilitate this endeavor, I have developed “tess-asteroids” – a flexible, open-source Python package that creates Target Pixel Files (TPFs) and Light Curve Files (LCFs) for asteroids observed by TESS. I will present this package, some example TPFs and LCFs for bright asteroids (V < 19) observed during TESS sectors 1 to 3 and a first look at their rotation periods.
If you have any questions, contact the PALS hosts: Benjamin Sharkey (small bodies) and Matt Nixon (exoplanets).
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
ATL 1250 is a flat, carpeted conference room that can accommodate approximately 20-30 people at large tables. The closest wheelchair accessible entry to this room in the Atlantic building is the white stone entrance at 224 Stadium Drive.
