College of Science and Technology Spring 2022 Newsletter

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Tarleton Observatory Data Confirms Exoplanet Discovery Data gathered from the Tarleton State University observatory was cited in a recent paper announcing new extensive analysis of three exoplanets. The planets, called hot Jupiters, were discovered in other surveys.

“What we did was new detailed observations with the telescope, extensive analysis and modeling,” said Dr. Shaukat Goderya, Director of Tarleton’s astronomy program. “It is a first paper in exoplanets using Tarleton observatory data confirming the capability of the telescope and its ability to obtain high-precision data. It paves the way for us to carry out our own survey for finding new exoplanets.” Hot Jupiters are a class of gas giant exoplanets thought to be physically similar to Jupiter but with short orbital periods. According to the paper, follow-up ground-based photometric surveys, like those from the Tarleton observatory, play an important role in the discovery of exoplanets. The research is helpful in detailed parametric studies, and the data is then entered in an online database.

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT

Faculty Awards FACULTY AWARD WINNERS BARRY B. THOMPSON SERVICE AWARD Dr. Bryant Wyatt, Department of Mathematics ENGAGED FACULTY AWARD Dr. Allan Nelson, Department of Biology FACULTY EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Dr. Kartik Venkataraman, Department of Mechanical, Environmental, and Civil Engineering FACULTY EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT SUCCESS AWARD Dr. Beth Riggs, Department of Mathematics O.A. GRANT EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD Dr. Steven Field, Department of Chemistry, Geosciences, and Physics OUTSTANDING JUNIOR FACULTY AWARD Dr. Sotorios Diamantas, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

“Exoplanets are in the forefront of research in astronomy,” Dr. Goderya said, “and I feel gratified that our observatory has the capability and capacity to do this type of data acquisition and research.”

Newsletter Spring 2022 |

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