Finding Doomed Exoplanet Worlds
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Brian Jackson, Boise State University; and Dr. Ayline Soto, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Boise State University’s exoplanet research program has been observing transits of Ultra-Hot Jupiters to determine whether or not these exoplanets are demonstrating tidal decay. Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars outside our solar system. Ultra-Hot Jupiters are exoplanets that are larger than Jupiter and have a very high temperature (>2000 K or 3100 °F). They orbit very close to their host stars, with orbital periods of 3 days or less. Transits occur when an exoplanet passes in front of its star and blocks out some of the light the star emits from Earth’s perspective. We can observe the transit by measuring dips in the brightness of the star. Additionally, orbital decay is the process in which a planet's orbital period decreases, leading to the doomed world spiralling into its host star. On the roof of the Boise State Education Building, we have been observing several exoplanets, such as HAT-P-36b, HAT-P-37b, TrES-3b. TrES-5b, KELT-9b, KELT-16b, and TOI-1516b- using 4’’ Unistellar telescopes. In this poster, we will showcase our developments in the project and highlight our future plans.
Finding Doomed Exoplanet Worlds
Boise State University’s exoplanet research program has been observing transits of Ultra-Hot Jupiters to determine whether or not these exoplanets are demonstrating tidal decay. Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars outside our solar system. Ultra-Hot Jupiters are exoplanets that are larger than Jupiter and have a very high temperature (>2000 K or 3100 °F). They orbit very close to their host stars, with orbital periods of 3 days or less. Transits occur when an exoplanet passes in front of its star and blocks out some of the light the star emits from Earth’s perspective. We can observe the transit by measuring dips in the brightness of the star. Additionally, orbital decay is the process in which a planet's orbital period decreases, leading to the doomed world spiralling into its host star. On the roof of the Boise State Education Building, we have been observing several exoplanets, such as HAT-P-36b, HAT-P-37b, TrES-3b. TrES-5b, KELT-9b, KELT-16b, and TOI-1516b- using 4’’ Unistellar telescopes. In this poster, we will showcase our developments in the project and highlight our future plans.