Ground-based light curve follow-up validation observations of TESS object of interest TOI 5443.01

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars that are outside of our solar system. One of the most effective methods to detect these exoplanets is the transit method, which observes periodic dips in a star’s brightness caused by a planet passing in front of it. NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has identified thousands of potential exoplanets which are known as TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs). TOIs require ground-based follow-ups to confirm their status as a planet. This project uses photometric data from George Mason University’s ground-based 0.8-m telescope to observe candidate TOI 5443.01 with a radius of 1.12 Earth radii and an orbital period of ~1.9 days. Using AstroImageJ, image calibration, photometry, and transit modeling is performed to analyze the light curve. By comparing the observed transit timing and depth to TESS predictions, the aim is to validate the planetary nature of this object.