There are several virtual solutions in the direction of education on the study of exoplanets: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/solar-sleuth-a-pi-in-the-sky-math-challenge/. However, they do not allow full interaction with the system due to virtuality. We decided to create a physical model useful in studying methods of detecting exoplanets.

We learned that there are several methods for studying exoplanets. The most effective of which is the transit method.

upload_image.18:36:49.046107

The transit method is described in https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/alien-worlds/ways-to-find-a-planet/?intent=021#/2

Our goal was to create an affordable and simple solution, so we decided to use Arduino as a hardware and software base and 3D printing to implement the design.

The first prototype was large and made using laser cutting:

first prototype

We tested the hypothesis on the prototype and were convinced that it was possible to obtain visual dependences of brightness on time during planetary transit:

brightness characteristic

Then we improved the prototype, making it smaller, which reduces the cost:

improved prototype improved prototype inner

Characteristics with flat fronts were obtained, that is why we need to improving the “telescope” by adding a vertical diaphragm:

Kepler =)

Now our system allows us to see the difference between the transit of a large and a small planet, which is reflected in the depth of the graph and the duration of the reverse impulses:

last dependencies

Last but not least, we have improved the software for smooth graphs by adding a Kalman filter:

Kalman works perfect

Per Actum Est. Amen.

2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge

Craft Lab