PANOPTES - Open Source Exoplanet Discovery

Discover how open source technology and cloud computing are revolutionizing exoplanet research in this 43-minute conference talk from Strange Loop. Explore the PANOPTES project, which empowers students and amateur astronomers to participate in the search for planets beyond our solar system. Learn about the innovative combination of low-cost electronics, off-the-shelf components, and open source software that creates a global network of robotic telescopes. Delve into the technical aspects of PANOPTES, including its construction, observation methods, and data processing techniques for identifying potential exoplanets. Gain insights into direct observation, Doppler spectroscopy, and the use of digital cameras in astronomical research. Understand the baseline unit design, electronics, and networking that make this distributed approach possible. Examine the scientific principles behind relative photometry, calibration data, and light curve analysis. Discover how consumer cameras with Bayer filters contribute to the project's success. Conclude with a Q&A session addressing topics such as air quality considerations and the project's collaborative nature.