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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Nasa's Search For Life Beyond The Earth, John W. Delano Prof Nov 2014

Nasa's Search For Life Beyond The Earth, John W. Delano Prof

Atmospheric and Environmental Science Faculty Scholarship

Invited presentation (November 3, 2014 for the 119th Annual Conference of the Science Teachers Association of New York State) provides an overview of NASA's search for worlds orbiting other nearby stars on the Milky Way galaxy.


Exonest: Bayesian Model Selection Applied To The Detection And Characterization Of Exoplanets Via Photometric Variations, Ben Placek, Kevin H. Knuth, Daniel Angerhausen Oct 2014

Exonest: Bayesian Model Selection Applied To The Detection And Characterization Of Exoplanets Via Photometric Variations, Ben Placek, Kevin H. Knuth, Daniel Angerhausen

Physics Faculty Scholarship

EXONEST is an algorithm dedicated to detecting and characterizing the photometric signatures of exoplanets, which include reflection and thermal emission, Doppler boosting, and ellipsoidal variations. Using Bayesian inference, we can test between competing models that describe the data as well as estimate model parameters. We demonstrate this approach by testing circular versus eccentric planetary orbital models, as well as testing for the presence or absence of four photometric effects. In addition to using Bayesian model selection, a unique aspect of EXONEST is the potential capability to distinguish between reflective and thermal contributions to the light curve. A case study is …