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| Eclipsing binary stars are key to uncovering exoplanets and advancing astronomical knowledge. Be among the pioneers in the new Eclipsing Binary Patrol project, where you can help identify these intriguing star systems. |
NASA’s latest citizen science initiative, Eclipsing Binary Patrol, invites enthusiasts to help uncover pairs of stars that periodically obscure each other as they orbit. These celestial duos, known as eclipsing binaries, are crucial for understanding stellar behavior and potentially discovering new worlds.
Participants will analyze real data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which monitors the brightness of stars to detect potential exoplanets and other phenomena. While TESS gathers extensive information, distinguishing genuine eclipsing binaries from noise or unrelated objects can be challenging for automated systems. That’s where volunteers come in.
Aline Fornear, a volunteer from Brazil, shared her excitement: “I’ve never worked as a professional astronomer, but being part of the Eclipsing Binary Patrol allows me to work with real data and contribute to actual discoveries. It’s thrilling to know my efforts aid in understanding distant star systems and possibly discovering new worlds.”
Volunteers will verify when a star system is an eclipsing binary, confirm its orbital period, and distinguish true signals from false ones. To join the effort, visit our Zooniverse page and start exploring the cosmos. Your contributions could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy.
