Ground-based Light Curve Follow-up Validation Observations of TESS Object of Interest TOI-5868.01

Context. NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) uses the transiting method to identify exoplanet candidates. These candidates then require ground-based follow-up observation to confirm their validity as an exoplanet. Aims. This investigation aims to prove whether TESS Object of Interest (TOI) 5868.01 is a false positive detection or a transiting exoplanet, and whether a transit occurred at the time predicted and with the depth and duration expected. Methods. Our methods include first using the FITS images, along with the dark and flat field files taken from the GMU observatory, to perform data reduction and then plate-solve the pictures. Next, we created and detrended our light curve and performed a Nearby Eclipsing Binary (NEB) check. Finally, we analyzed and interpreted the light curve and NEB analysis results. Results. The investigation substantiates the very likely existence of TOI 5868.01 as a transiting exoplanet. However, while a dip in the light curve exists that matches the time and depth of the predicted transit, due to the failure of the NEB check caused by the reference stars being too dim, we cannot decisively rule out the possibility of an eclipsing binary interfering with the light curve and causing a false positive detection.