NASA Kepler’s Scientists Are Doing What Seems Impossible: Turning Pixels Into Planets

“It isn’t the image itself that gives you this information, but rather how the light from image changes over time, both relative to all the other stars and relative to itself. The other stars out there in our galaxy have sunspots, planets, and rich solar systems all their own. As Kepler heads towards its final retirement and prepares to be replaced by TESS, take a moment to reflect on just how it’s revolutionized our view of the Universe. Never before has such a small amount of information taught us so much.”

When you think about exoplanets, or planets around stars other than the Sun, you probably visualize them like we do our own Solar System. Yet direct images of these worlds are exceedingly rare, with less than 1% of the detected exoplanets having any sort of visual confirmation. The way most planets have been found has been from the Kepler spacecraft, which gives you the very, very unimpressive image of the star you see featured at the top. Yet just by watching that star, the light coming from it, and the rest of the field-of-view over time, we can infer the existence of sunspots, flares, and periodic “dips” in brightness that correspond to the presence of a planet. In fact, we can figure out the radius, orbital period, and sometimes even the mass of the planet, too, all from this single point of light.

How do we do it? There’s an incredible science in turning pixels into planets, and that’s what made NASA’s Kepler mission so successful!

More Posts from Matthewjopdyke and Others

matthewjopdyke

5 years ago

To all women, who dedicate hours on end toward helping others with little thought of reward in return -- you are a blessing in the lives of all you meet. For that, I wish you a Happy Mother's day! https://www.instagram.com/p/CAArmv5A7C8/?igshid=1v92oi99tgo35

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matthewjopdyke

6 years ago

All three versions (chill, rock, orchestra) Further than Before: Pathway to the Stars, Part 1 -- Audible “Nature and humanity can be amazing, but likewise, it can be brutal. Brutality, as far too many know it, is unnecessary if we consider and implement one thing, innovation with purpose—a good purpose is brutality’s ideal replacement, and it comes minus unnecessary misery. It’s starting to become clear to me now what it is that we can do and how we can do it.” - Eliza Williams to Yesha Alevtina (Further than Before: Pathway to the Stars, Part 1) #books #sciencefictionbooks #SpaceOpera #scifi #ftbpathwaypublications #grahambessellieu #matthewjopdyke #politicalsciencefiction https://www.instagram.com/p/BxGfu74g5Vb/?igshid=16f1jd0ctbwq

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books scifi spaceopera matthewjopdyke politicalsciencefiction sciencefictionbooks ftbpathwaypublications grahambessellieu

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matthewjopdyke

7 years ago

As I write and as I share, my main three priorities in a more converged manner are 1. Biology, 2. Neurology, and 3. Physics, as I have described in this meme.

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matthewjopdyke

5 years ago

Pathway to the Stars: Part 11, A New Day

"If we can love ourselves, we can then truly understand what it means to love others and be kind. There is potential that lies within you and everyone else. It is a potential that has always been meant to exist, to bring something greater to this reality of life."

~ Sky Taylor

This story is the eleventh of the Pathway to the Stars space opera series. Sky journeys with Erin Carter and Joanne Gallant, who are now Pathway's president and vice president. On their adventure, she shows them ways to heal the Earth as well as ourselves so we can promote a healthier form of longevity.

To Sky, there is much we can do to prevent future disasters, but sometimes solutions can involve something as simple as a nice walk. In this case, unfortunately, to help Joanne figure out a mystery weighing upon her.

Meanwhile, Eliza Williams and Yesha Alevtina work for the success of the Universal Party with efforts that will affect the United States, the World, and the mission to span the Cosmos!

LCCN: 2019919255

ISBN: 978-1-951321-15-4

eBook: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B081XNYSL4

Paperback: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1951321154

#ScienceFiction #Scifi #SpaceOpera #Fantasy #Author #MatthewJOpdyke #EarthFirst #Preservation #ConsiderationForAllLiving #Biology #Neuroscience #Biotechnology #AI #HBCI

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matthewjopdyke

6 years ago

I am pleased to announce a NEW RELEASE to my Space Opera series. It is now available on Amazon in ebook and paperback formats! Pathway to the Stars: Part 4, Universal Party Autographed copies of printed material are available for direct purchase on the author website at https://www.ftb-pathway-publications.com Thank you, Kim, for putting this together! #spaceopera #futurism #scifiauthor #sciencefiction #scififantasy #biotech #nanotech #neurotech #spacetravel #solarsystem #politicalscifi #strongfemalelead #entertain #educate https://www.instagram.com/p/Bur_fTyA4xP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15y5ce5xhxpf5

Excellent Time to Cozy Up to Preparation for a Grand Space Adventure!

It takes a lot to travel beyond the limits of our Solar System. As such, the Christmas Edition of the two-novel literary masterpiece, with a side dish series going a little deeper in smaller portions of each major aspect of the two-novel series, Pathway to the Stars, despite being ridden with indie goofs, pauper challenges toward perfection, and ever-so-constantly updating text to improve the…

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matthewjopdyke

8 years ago

Solar System: Things to Know the August Eclipse

We’re counting down until the August 21 total solar eclipse that will be visible across most of North America. Here are some things you can do to prepare.

1. Find A Spot

The eclipse should be visible to some extent across the continental U.S. Here’s map of its path.

Our eclipse page can help you find the best viewing locations by longitude and latitude: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

2. Citizen Science

Want to know more about citizen science projects? Find a list of citizen science projects for the eclipse: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/citizen-science

3. Never look directly at the sun! Even during the early phases of the eclipse!

Get your eclipse viewing safety glasses beforehand: eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety

4. Get Our Interactive Eclipse Module App

In this interactive, 3D simulation of the total eclipse on August 21, 2017, you can see a view of the eclipse from anywhere on the planet:

http://eyes.jpl.nasa.gov/eyes-on-eclipse.html

5. Got questions?

Join the conversation on social media. Tag your posts: #Eclipse2017.

Twitter: @NASASolarSystem, @NASA, @NASASunEarth Facebook: NASA Solar System

Discover the full list of 10 things to know about our solar system this week HERE.

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matthewjopdyke

6 years ago

Proud to Announce...

Proud to Announce…

Here is a portion of an email I received today. After three years of research, breathing life into new characters, and helping the world enjoy their journey, I found I had to divide my novel into two parts. So, there will be a Part 1 and a Part 2. Without further ado:

“Congratulations! Your book “Further Than Before: Pathway to the Stars” is available for pre-order in the Kindle Store. It is…

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matthewjopdyke

7 years ago

Nice view of Earth...

Our pale blue dot, planet Earth, is seen in this video captured by NASA astronaut Jack Fischer from his unique vantage point on the International Space Station. From 250 miles above our home planet, this time-lapse imagery takes us over the Pacific Ocean’s moon glint and above the night lights of San Francisco, CA. The thin hue of our atmosphere is visible surrounding our planet with a majestic white layer of clouds sporadically seen underneath.

The International Space Station is currently home to 6 people who are living and working in microgravity. As it orbits our planet at 17,500 miles per hour, the crew onboard is conducting important research that benefits life here on Earth.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

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matthewjopdyke

6 years ago