Aliens and Habitable Planets: Engaging the public in scientific practices characterizing exoplanet orbits

A 2018 Pew research study reports that 73% of U.S. adults surveyed indicated that the search for life and planets that could support life should be important (42%) or a top priority (31%) for NASA. Capitalizing on this interest, the NASA's Universe of Learning (UoL) Authentic Ground-based Research Experiences Group designs facilitated and stand-alone online learning activities that replicate scientific practices used to learn about the orbits and science of exoplanets. The NASA's UoL (http://universe-of-learning.org) program creates and delivers science- and audience-driven resources and experiences designed to engage and immerse learners of all ages and backgrounds in exploring the universe for themselves.

The NASA's UoL exoplanet public engagement initiative includes the ability for participants to gather images of the night sky with target stars known by NASA to have planets orbiting each star. Participants have multiple options for image acquisition of such targets. Participants can request images from the 6" MicroObservatory remote-operated telescopes each night. If more light is needed or more complex research questions are developed, participants can request images from the Global Telescope Network 14" telescopes, specifically the Gamma-ray Optical Robotic Telescope (GORT). Or participants can acquire their own images by building a relatively low-cost, robotic telescope that can be used to detect transiting exoplanets as a part of the program known as the Panoptic Astronomical Networked Observatories for a Public Transiting Exoplanets Survey. Analysis of images to develop light curves begins with a step-by-step approach using an online image analysis tool, Js9-4L, to analyze images. Once understood through practice, participants can more quickly develop light curves using computer code developed for public use. At any stage in their learning, members of the public can compare their or other publicly-available light curves with NASA data. This comparison with participants' light curves provides more information on the exoplanet and scientists' findings. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are available to participants either as in-person mentors or via online Forums. SMEs are connected through the NASA's UoL SME database.