Observations Requested of Exoplanet Proxima Centauri b

PTS

AAVSO Alert Notice 571

March 16, 2017

Observations Requested of Exoplanet Proxima Centauri b

Dr. Karen Collins (Vanderbilt University) has requested
ground-based, follow-up observations of recently discovered
exoplanet Proxima Centauri b. This exoplanet is a suspected
Earth-size planet orbiting in the habitable zone of our nearest
stellar neighbor, Proxima Centauri (V645 Cen). There exists a rough
ephemeris of this target based on radial velocity measurements, so
the predicted mid-transit times can vary +/- 6 hours. Therefore, it
is requested that observations be as long as possible. The expected
duration of the transit is less than two hours long. The transit
depth is expected to be 5 mmag. However, because Proxima Centauri
itself is a flare star, there may be large variations in the light
curve.

These observations are most suitable for those with prior
experience conducting exoplanet observing.

The Southern hemisphere target Proxima Centauri has a magnitude
range of 11.1 - 11.3 V.

Please contact Dennis Conti, AAVSO’s Exoplanet Section Chair, at
[email protected] if you are interested in participating in
such observations and would like the predicted transit times, or
if you have any further questions.

Coordinates for Proxima Centauri (V645 Cen):
R.A. 14 29 42.95  Dec. -62 40 46.2  (2000.0)

Charts: Charts with a comparison star sequence for Proxima Centauri
may be created using the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter (VSP) at
https://www.aavso.org/vsp.

This campaign is being monitored on the AAVSO Observing Campaigns
webpage at https://www.aavso.org/observing-campaigns.


This AAVSO Alert Notice was compiled by Elizabeth O. Waagen from
material supplied by Dr. Dennis Conti.

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