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Abstract
To date, more than 300 planets orbiting stars other than our sun
have been discovered using a range of observing techniques, with new
discoveries occurring monthly. The work in this thesis focused on the
detection of exo-planets using the transit method. Planets orbiting
close to their host stars have a roughly 10 per cent chance of eclipsing
(transiting) the star, with Jupiter-sized planets causing a one per
cent dip in the flux of the star over a few hours. A wealth of orbital
and physical information on the system can be extracted from these
systems, including the planet density which is essential in constraining
models of planetary formation.
To detect these types of planets requires monitoring tens of thousands
of stars over a period of months. To accomplish this, we conduct
a wide-field survey using the 0.5-meter Automated Patrol Telescope
(APT) at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) in NSW, Australia. Once
candidates were selected from the data-set, selection criteria were applied
to separate the likely planet candidates from the false-positives.
For this thesis, the methods and instrumentation used in attaining
data and selecting planet candidates are discussed, as well as the results
and analysis of the planet candidates selected from star fields
observed from 2004-2007.
Of the 65 planet candidates initially selected from the 25 target fields
observed, only two were consistent with a planet transit. These candidates
were later determined to be eclipsing binary stars based on follow
up observations using the 40-inch telescope, 2.3-m telescope, and
the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope, all located at SSO. Additionally,
two planet candidates from the SuperWASP-North consortium
were observed on the 40-inch telescope. Both proved to be eclipsing
binary stars. While no planets were found, our search methods and
results are consistent with successful transit surveys targeting similar
fields with stars in a similar magnitude range and using similar
methods.