
%0 Journal Article
%A Hudgins, David W. 
%A Filipovic, Miroslav D. 
%T Photometric Techniques Using Small College Research Instruments for Study of the Extrasolar Planetary Transits of HD 209458
%J Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
%D 2002/12/11
%V 19
%N 4
%P 443-447
%K Keywords: teaching astronomy &#8212; techniques: photometric &#8212; binaries: eclipsing &#8212; planetary systems &#8212; stars: individual (HD 209458)
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AS02007
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AS02007 
%X We present the results of a program to develop techniques that enable high-resolution photometric measurements using modest research instruments available to small colleges, and then demonstrate those techniques in a pilot photometric project.  Using a 25 cm Schmidt&#8211;Cassegrain telescope and SBIG ST7E CCD camera, we develop techniques that enabled milli-magnitude photometric resolution. The pilot project studied five transits of the recently discovered gas giant planet orbiting HD 209458. We measured a flux drop of 1.46 &#177; 0.17&percnt; during the transit which corresponds to a planetary diameter of 1.39 &#177; 0.14 RJup, a transit period of 2h 48min &#177; 21min, and planet orbital inclination of 87.6 &#177; 1.3&#176;. We determined the orbital period as 3.5234 &#177; 0.0026 days. These results agree well with other studies which used professional grade research instruments. We suggest a number of other challenging photometric research areas suitable for graduate and undergraduate investigation using equipment common to many small colleges. 
