A man posing with his powerful telescope.

Dennis Michael Conti

NASA Citizen Scientist

High School

St. Vincent High School, Akron, Ohio

College/University

Univ. of Dayton (BS)

College Major

Computer Science

College/University

Purdue Univ. (MS, PhD)

College Major

Computer Science

What motivated you to volunteer as a NASA citizen scientist? How did you learn about NASA citizen science?

I have always been interested in astronomy and, in particular, contributing to astronomy science through professional-amateur collaborations. I got involved in conducting exoplanet observations on my own in 2015. At that time, I was involved in taking astrophotography images of nebulae, galaxies, and planets. However, in an online forum someone pointed out that since Jupiter could not be observed for a while, we might try detecting an exoplanet. I thought at the time, how can it be possible that with my backyard telescope I would be able to detect a planet orbiting a distant star? But indeed, I was able to! From that point on I became involved with professional/amateur astronomer teams searching for new exoplanets.

In 2016 I found that there was no “home” for amateur astronomers who were doing exoplanet observations to network with one another, so I started the Exoplanet Section of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). I then developed the architecture of an AAVSO database that is now the repository for observations being made by citizen scientists who are part of NASA’s Exoplanet Watch program (see https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-watch/about-exoplanet-watch/overview/).

This [is a] great opportunity for us 'non-professionals' to truly contribute to some of the most important discoveries in the area of astronomy science.

dennis conti

dennis conti

NASA Citizen Scientist

In 2018, I joined the team of professional and amateur astronomers doing follow-up observations of exoplanet candidates as part of NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) mission. One of the most exciting exoplanet discoveries that has come out of my TESS-related work has been the discovery and validation of TOI-700, a three-planet system that includes the first habitable zone Earth-sized planet from TESS. I continue to support the TESS mission and mentor others on ground-based exoplanet observing, including those who are part of NASA’s Exoplanet Watch. For my exoplanet contributions, I was awarded the 2022 Chambliss Amateur Astronomy Chambliss Award by the American Astronomical Society (AAS).

What do you do when you’re not doing science with NASA?

Being retired, I am able to devote a lot of free time to astronomy science, in particular to the field of exoplanets. I also have time to continue as Chair of the AAVSO’s Exoplanet Section and to serve on the Board of the AAVSO. When not doing science with NASA, I am an avid bicyclist and a ham radio operator.

What have you learned about the process of science from your time on NASA citizen science projects?

Once the TESS science team identifies two equal dips in the light from a target star, those dips are generally understood to be caused by a candidate exoplanet. Next, a ground-based team that includes professional and amateur astronomers are asked to confirm that the dips are not caused by a false positive. False positives are when such dips in the light of a star are caused by something other than an exoplanet. A common source of a false positive is a system in which two stars are circling each other and their light is blended with that of the target star causing the dip to mimic the transit of an exoplanet. Ground-based observations with a modest size telescope can often distinguish these false positives from a true exoplanet transit.

Being named co-author of an exoplanet discovery paper is one of the benefits of contributing to the confirmation of an exoplanet. Being part of that process has given me a greater appreciation for what is involved in publishing a refereed paper.

Scientific illustration shows how the light from a star dips when a planet passes in front of it.
The top of this image depicts an exoplanet (blue) orbiting its star (yellow). The corresponding graph at the bottom represents the light of the star as the exoplanet transits in front of it from our point-of-view. The individual observations (gray dots) represent measurements I made from a backyard telescope of the brightness of the star as the exoplanet passes in front of it. The green dots represent five-minute averages of the star’s brightness. Amateur astronomer telescopes are able to detect a 1% (or higher) dip in light of a star. Such dips in light are often indicative of an exoplanet orbiting that star. This particular observation is of an exoplanet called Wasp-12 b.
Courtesy Dennis Conti

Which peer-reviewed research publications have you contributed to through your citizen science work? What was your role in the research and writing process?

Due to my contributions in conducting exoplanet follow-up observations, as well as in recognition of software I have written to assist both professional and amateur astronomers in detecting exoplanet false positives, I have been named as co-author in 12 peer-reviewed publications in The Astronomical Journal, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

The publication that most directly connects with Exoplanet Watch was in 2020 in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific titled, Utilizing Small Telescopes Operated by Citizen Scientists for Transiting Exoplanet Follow-up. I was part of a large team that demonstrated how citizen scientists operating small telescopes could help refine the mid-point of when a confirmed exoplanet transit is predicted to occur. This is essential for optimizing the precious viewing time of tools such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

What are your favorite NASA citizen science projects to work on, and why?

I have contributed most to the Exoplanet Watch program. My contributions have helped citizen scientists store their data in a long-term database that can help achieve Exoplanet Watch’s mission of updating data on confirmed exoplanets.

What have you discovered or learned as a NASA citizen scientist?

I have a much greater appreciation for the scientific rigor in confirming an exoplanet, including the necessity of a combined effort of professional and amateur astronomers for such a mission to be successful.

What advice would you give to others who might want to volunteer with NASA citizen science?

This is my advice to someone interested in helping NASA answer whether there’s life beyond the solar system: start where you’re comfortable, and go as far as you like!

There are a wide variety of NASA exoplanet-related projects to choose from. Some, like Planet Hunters TESS and Are We Alone In the Universe, require no prior knowledge and no more equipment than a computer or smartphone. These citizen science programs are a great place to learn. Projects like Exoplanet Watch are more involved, requiring some knowledge and equipment like telescopes. There’s a place for anyone to start, no matter their knowledge or interests.

Who have you met during your NASA citizen science work who inspires you?

In the course of my involvement in various NASA exoplanet activities, I have met a number of exoplanet researchers whose work has inspired me, including George Ricker, David Latham, Sara Seager, Karen Collins, and David Ciardi. In particular, I have worked closely the past four years with Karen Collins, who is lead of the TESS ground-based team that is the first “hurdle” a TESS exoplanet candidate has to pass on the way to final confirmation. Karen’s passion and devotion to her work, as well as her expertise in conducting and analyzing ground-based exoplanet observations, have inspired me to do what I can to pass along to others this great opportunity for us “non-professionals” to truly contribute to some of the most important discoveries in the area of astronomy science.

How much time do you spend on NASA citizen science projects?

I generally spend 20 to 30 hours a week on exoplanet-related work.