Engineering Vision Extenders
Exoplanet Discoveries Computational Thinking Module
Students consider how computers can help scientists search space telescope data for exoplanets. Students incrementally construct an algorithm to calculate the orbital period of candidate exoplanets from light curves.
When you launch each activity, it will open and run in your browser with MATLAB Online.
The Transit Method
View light curves for a simulated star-exoplanet system.
Is It an Exoplanet?
Decide if the light curve shown provides evidence of an exoplanet.
Describe the Pattern
Realize that patterns detected by the human eye need to be described explicitly to a computer.
Iterate the Algorithm
Consider how to modify instructions for a computer so that it selects the desired minima in a light curve.
Iterate Again
Refine an algorithm to calculate the orbital period of a possible exoplanet.
More Complex Data
Identify patterns in data to find one or more of the exoplanets in the Kepler-102 system.
Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) has created a teacher guide with lessons plans to facilitate the implementation of these live scripts in your classroom. To download free teacher and student materials, visit the YES website.
Have questions or feedback?
Primary and Secondary Schools
Use MATLAB with K-12 students
