Discover the Next Exoplanet with Dr. Jessie Christiansen’s Guidance

The Search for Exoplanets: How NASA’s Exoplanet Archive is Democratizing Science

The Importance of Public Access to Scientific Data

Just four decades ago, the existence of planets outside our solar system was a mystery. Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists like Dr. Jessie Christiansen, we have not only discovered numerous exoplanets but also made the data accessible to the public. As a project scientist on NASA’s Exoplanet Archive, Dr. Christiansen is passionate about sharing science with the world and ensuring public access to scientific data.

“We’re really having a cultural moment in science about data access. One of the things the internet has done is make everybody realize there are data that should be available and accessible.”

The Inner Workings of the NASA Exoplanet Archive

The Exoplanet Archive is NASA’s way of keeping track of all the planets discovered around other stars. It offers cataloging information and provides scientists and enthusiasts with tools and data to further study exoplanets. Dr. Christiansen is part of a team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (managed by Caltech) that identifies confirmed exoplanets for inclusion in the database.

For an exoplanet to be admitted into the archive, it must be included in an accepted, peer-reviewed paper. The team members track down these papers, often combing through online databases like arXiv.org. Despite the mind-numbing nature of the work, Dr. Christiansen finds joy in the moments of discovery when she realizes she’s the first person to know that a particular star has a planet orbiting it.

The Driving Force Behind Dr. Christiansen’s Work

While the thrill of discovery excites Dr. Christiansen, her true passion lies in talking to people about science. Science communication has always been a priority for her, even though it has never been part of her official duties. As the first in her family to attend college, she had no idea about the possibilities in the field of science until she realized that people could be paid to answer science questions. This realization led her to become an astronomer, driven by the desire to explore the age-old question: are we alone in the universe?

Giving Back Through Science Communication and Mentorship

Dr. Christiansen recognizes that many people question the value of NASA’s work. Through science communication, she aims to demonstrate that NASA is a good steward of taxpayer money and highlight the exciting projects they undertake. Additionally, she is heavily involved in mentorship and is a TED fellow, serving as a role model for young girls aspiring to become scientists.

Empowering Citizen Scientists Through Public Data

The public accessibility of data is crucial for democratizing science. Dr. Christiansen emphasizes that NASA’s taxpayer-funded data belongs to the public. Citizen science has played a significant role in confirming exoplanets due to the vast amount of data that needs to be analyzed. While computer programs can analyze the data, they lack the human intuition to identify anomalies.

Anyone can contribute to the search for exoplanets using data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). TESS monitors over 200,000 stars for dips in brightness, which can indicate the presence of an exoplanet. PlanetHunters.org makes TESS light curves available to the public, allowing citizen scientists to discover their own exoplanets after a short tutorial.

“Almost all of the really unique planetary systems have been found by citizen scientists because they were able to look at the data. Anyone can go on PlanetHunters.org and find their own planet. It’s just delightful. The number of citizen scientists I’ve been able to publish papers with who have found their own planet—it’s really cool.”

Dr. Christiansen takes pride in enabling this process and making science accessible to all.