The Planet Hunting with Python project enables students to experience how researchers use computer programming to do research by teaching them Python and applying this to analysing data from the NASA Kepler and TESS missions. Students will use the software they write to hunt for exoplanetary transits, the signatures of other worlds periodically dimming their star when they pass in front of it, determining the properties of these exoplanets.
The teacher guide and example code can be found in the teacher area — please contact us if you're unable to access.
Planet Hunting with Python Introductory Video
Planet Hunting with Python github page
Here are some of examples of good quality work previously presented by students at our Research in Schools conference.
Posters: Poster 1 [PDF 4,214KB]Talks: Talk 1 [PDF 1,059KB]
The Planet Hunting with Python project is led by Prof Richard Nelson. His research concerns the theory of planet formation, developing models which can reproduce our growing number of observations of exoplanets. He has been involved in the discovery of several high-profile planets such as Proxima Centauri b and Barnard's Star b with Dr Guillem Anglada-Escudé.