Dear group,
One of the latest exoplanet discoveries (2007) involves TrES-3 in
Hercules. What is of great interest surrounding this discovery is the
exoplanet's proximity to its parent star and its degenerative orbit.
In other words, at some point this exoplanet will not be available for
study due to its orbit and impending collision into its sun.
What makes the photometry of this exoplanet most challenging is the
fact that its host star is very dim at magnitude 12.17 and the transit
depth of 25 mmag translates to very small changes in the overall
dimness of the parent star during transit. I am delighted to present
you with a light curve for TrES-3 taken with a well-known 160 mm
refractor (LOL!) and which most beautifully illustrates the 105-minute
transit.
I contacted a couple of individuals a priori surrounding this transit
and I was told that it is not possible in the slightest given the dim
magnitude of the parent star, the transit depth and my small aperture.
Well, no pain, no gain.
For the light-curve in two-formats as well as a finder chart, I kindly
direct you to
http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-Photomet...3-20080503.htm
....
There are additional exoplanet transits over the next few months and
which I will certainly be pursuing.
Clear skies!
Anthony.