Eclipsing Binary Patrol
An "eclipsing binary" (EB) is a pair of stars that orbit one another, oriented so that one star sometimes blocks our view of the other star. At Eclipsing Binary Patrol, you will examine space telescope data and help unravel the mysteries of these multiple-star systems. You’ll help discover new eclipsing binaries by helping weed out imposters -- objects that blink but are not eclipsing binaries. The science team of this project is mostly composed of citizen scientists.
Eclipsing Binary Patrol is also available in French.
ages
18 and up
division
Universe
where
Online
launched
2024
What you’ll do
- Complete the in-project tutorial.
- Examine three kinds of data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission: two graphs and an image.
- Answer four questions about the data.
- Learn how to research your favorite objects using professional catalogs (scroll to the bottom of the page).
- Connect with other people with similar interests via Zooniverse TALK bulletin boards.
- Fill out this form to join the advanced user group and participate in meetings with the science team.
Requirements
- Time: 10-15 minutes to complete the tutorial
- Equipment: Web-connected device.
- Knowledge: An in project tutorial provides all the instruction needed for the basic three-part task. Experience with the Planet Patrol project can be helpful.
Get started!
- Visit the project website.
- Follow the tutorial, read the research page, and read the F.A.Q. to learn what to look for in the data.
- Help separate the good eclipsing binary candidates in TESS data from the bad ones!
Learn More
Read the Research Pages on the project’s website to learn more about the science of multiple star systems and the planets that orbit in them. Binary stars continue to yield surprises even after hundreds of years of study. Eclipsing binaries you help find will be targets for future exoplanet searches.
Get to know the people of Eclipsing Binary Patrol!
