Dr. Gaspar Bakos is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship to carry out a program of research and education at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Using the HATNet automated small-telescope system that he developed, Dr. Bakos will search for transiting extrasolar planets around bright stars with continued observations, follow-up photometry and spectroscopy, and analysis of existing HATNet data. Because networked operations and extended time coverage of selected fields is extremely important for increasing the chances of planet detection, Dr. Bakos will also arrange or expand the HAT network to install an additional telescope at the Mauna Kea site and seek to establish a third site among eastern longitudes.
Based on HATNet data, Dr. Bakos will also develop a variability database for distribution to the astronomical community as well as an interactive interface and web-based forum on general bright variable stars for the general public that will allow users to browse variable stars, leave comments, upload data and plan follow-up observations with their own telescopes.
