[Aavso-photometry] extrasolar planet photometry

[Arne Henden]

I don't think there is a question about monitoring systems with
planets, looking for new transits.  http://www.transitsearch.org
certainly has that project covered, and I presume this will
be the same kind of project for the AAVSO.  I think the question
Michael K. was asking was whether repeat observations of known
transiting systems by amateurs was a worthwhile endeavour.
I think Richard and Tonny have covered most of the important points.
Once the period is well determined, the Big Guns do most of the
heavy work with spectroscopy.  The main benefits of additional
photometry are (a) improving the period yet further, and monitoring
for period changes that might indicate apsidal motion or orbital decay;
(b) monitoring for other planets/transits in the same system,
since you now know the inclination of at least one planet and
hopefully any others are in the same plane; (c) actual study
of the star's surface, since the occulting planet is much smaller
than the stellar diameter and you might be able to detect
hot spots/cool spots, sizes, etc.  I'm sure Tim Castellano has
a whole list of photometric projects for transiting systems.
Of course, just doing some of these transits and improving your
basic photometric quality won't hurt for other programs!
Arne

Aaron Price wrote:
>  In addition I believe many of the candidates are known to have exoplanets
> but the inclination of the systems can't be determined via the Doppler
> effect. So detection of a transit can help set the inclination, which can
> help with the geometry. It can also be helpful as a catalog. If an
> astronomer with a Really Big Gun(tm)  wants to look at a certain kind of
> exoplanet this helps them know what their options are in terms of targets.
> They don't have to waste time on a star that may or may not transit.
> 
> Aaron
> 
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