Photometric Validation Study of TESS Candidate TOI-3521.01: Ground-Based Transit Observations and Analysis

We present ground-based photometric observations of TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) Object of Interest (TOI) 3521.01 conducted using the George Mason University 0.8-meter telescope to validate its planetary nature. Our transit photometry analysis, processed through AstroImageJ software, successfully detected a periodic dimming event coinciding with predicted transit times. However, our measured transit depth of 18.2 parts per thousand (ppt) substantially exceeds the TESS-reported depth of 10.7 ppt, indicating potential systematic effects or astrophysical complexities within the system. Despite comprehensive nearby eclipsing binary contamination checks yielding inconclusive results, our observations support the continued candidacy of TOI-3521.01 as a potential exoplanet. We outline future validation strategies including spectroscopic radial velocity measurements, multi-wavelength photometry, and advanced imaging techniques necessary for definitive confirmation.