Project Gallery 2023
Secondary students from across Europe became exoplanet detectives with ESA and used Cheops satellite data to uncover the mysteries of two exoplanet targets: KELT-3b and TOI-560c.
Explore the projects below.
Hackatonians
Colegio Abraham Maslow Bogotá D.C – Bogotá D.C Colombia 15 years old, 16 years old, 17 years old 4 / 2
TOI-560c
TOI-560c project description:
An analysis of the exoplanet TOI-560c is performed from a light curve of data collected during transit observation by the European Space Agency through the Cheops satellite. The data are displayed with the help of the Binder web page. With the data provided, the main characteristics of the exoplanet are calculated with the help of mathematical equations, specifically data such as the radius of the planet, the orbital period, the density, the composition and the main differences or similarities of the exoplanet compared to the other planets of the solar system.
TOI-560c Results and Analysis
To calculate the radius of an exoplanet it is necessary to consider the following equation: 𝑅𝑝 (𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑡)=(√𝛥𝐹 ) X (𝑅𝑒(𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟)). The radius of the exoplanet was taken after the analysis of the previous table shown. The estimated result of the exoplanet`s radius is 2.39 (units of the earth’s mass).
Orbital Period:
According to the ESA (European Space Agency) the orbital period of a planet (T) refers to the complete time it takes for the planet to complete one orbit around its star. It is calculated using the following equation: 𝑇2=(4π2𝐺(𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 )𝑀(𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟))𝑑(𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒)3
In this case the orbital period is given and has a value of 2,7 days
Distance to the host star:
To find it we use the same equation that is used to find Orbital Period, clearing the distance variable.
The data given is:
T= 595807488 seconds G= 6,67430 x 10−11 𝑚3𝑘𝑔−1𝑠−2 M= 9.70 times the mass of the earth d=
Once the data is replaced in the equation we get:
85205520 s2=(4π26,67430 x 10−11 𝑚3𝑘𝑔−1𝑠−2 x 9.70 times the mass of the earth)𝑑
𝑑= √85205520 s2(4π26,67430 x 10−11 𝑚3𝑘𝑔−1𝑠−2 x 9.70 times the mass of the earth)3
After replacing the data, the result of d (Distance) is: 3,26 x 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟎
Exoplanet density:
The density of the planet that we managed to get was 3.94 g/cm^3. We used both the mass over volume equation and the volume equation to get to the result.
Composition:
According to the Virtual Learning Center (VLC), rocky planets are dense bodies, composed of rocks and metals, with a distinct internal structure and similar size.
Analysis:
The analysis of the exoplanet TOI-560c is based on the comparison of its characteristics and how they are similar or different from the characteristics found in the planets of the solar system.
After a very complete analysis, we reach the conclusions that are the objective of this work.
TOI-560c Conclusions
TOI 560c is a rocky exoplanet, with an orbital period of 595807488 Earth seconds, its temperature and proximity to the star make it not habitable, its mass and radius indicate that its gravity is greater than Earth’s gravity.
It has a density similar to that of Mars, so it is a rocky planet, its radius is close to that of Neptune, proving the assumptions of its characteristics. Its temperature is higher than any planet in the solar system.
Considering the previous exercise (i.e., the analysis and extraction of characteristics of the exoplanet TOI 560c) we can say that we have satisfactorily fulfilled the objective of discovering the data requested in the working guide about the exoplanet. In the same way we became familiar with equations of radius, density, volume and so on. Finally, we were introduced to a particularly useful program for the analysis of light curves, an important element to know the existence and measurement of exoplanets by means of the photometric transit method.