Planet Hunters: First Two Planet Candidates Identified

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In summary, the conversation discusses updates on the latest results from Planet Hunters, a citizen science project where participants help sift through data from the NASA Kepler mission to search for possible planets. The project has submitted its first paper to a journal and has announced the findings of two planet candidates discovered by the public. The conversation also mentions the project's FAQ and participants' experiences with the project.
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Drakkith
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Just got this in my e-mail today:

We wanted to update you on the latest results from Planet Hunters; the good news is that - thanks to all of your hard work at planethunters.org - we have submitted our first paper to the journal, and it is - with any luck - nearly through the referee process. We've announced the findings detailed in the paper titled "Planet Hunters: Two Planet Candidates Discovered by the Public using the Kepler Public Archive Data" which you can read here: http://arxiv.org/abs/1109.4621

Hurray for more possible planets!

For those unfamiliar with Planet Hunters, see the FAQ here: http://www.planethunters.org/faq [Broken]

Planet Hunters, the latest project from the Zooniverse, is a citizen science project. Participants help us sieve through data taken by the NASA Kepler space mission. These data consist of brightness measurements, or "light curves," taken every thirty minutes for more than 150,000 stars. Users search for possible transit events - a brief dip in brightness that occurs when a planet passes in front of the star - with the goal of discovering a planet (hence the name "Planet Hunters").
 
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I've been doing Planethunters for a while! A really nice webpage for cool detection. Hurray for the possible planets! ^__^
 
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Gliese123 said:
I've been doing Planethunters for a while! A really nice webpage for cool detection. Hurray for the possible planets! ^__^

Yeah, I do it off and on myself. There are some WIERD light curves in there sometimes lol.
 

1. What is "Planet Hunters: First Two Planet Candidates Identified"?

Planet Hunters: First Two Planet Candidates Identified is a scientific research project that uses citizen scientists to identify potential exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system. This project involves analyzing data from the Kepler space telescope to search for subtle dips in light that could indicate the presence of a planet orbiting a distant star.

2. How were the first two planet candidates identified?

The first two planet candidates were identified through the collaboration of scientists and citizen scientists in the Planet Hunters project. The data from the Kepler space telescope was analyzed and potential planet candidates were identified based on the characteristic dip in light that occurs when a planet passes in front of its host star. These candidates were then further analyzed by scientists to confirm their validity.

3. What makes these planet candidates significant?

These planet candidates are significant because they are the first two potential exoplanets identified by the Planet Hunters project. This project allows for the involvement of citizen scientists in the search for exoplanets, which can help accelerate the discovery of new worlds and further our understanding of the universe. Additionally, these candidates could potentially provide valuable information about the formation and evolution of planetary systems.

4. How do scientists determine if a planet candidate is a true exoplanet?

Once a planet candidate is identified, scientists use various methods to confirm its existence. This can include analyzing follow-up data from the Kepler telescope or using other telescopes to observe the star and planet candidate. Scientists also look for additional evidence, such as changes in the star's light or gravitational effects on the star. If all of the evidence supports the existence of the planet, it is then considered a confirmed exoplanet.

5. What are the potential implications of identifying these planet candidates?

The potential implications of identifying these planet candidates are significant. These candidates could provide valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of exoplanets, as well as the conditions necessary for a planet to support life. Additionally, the involvement of citizen scientists in this research project could help further engage the public in the scientific process and inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM fields.

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