Ground-Based Light Curve Follow-Up Validation Observations of TESS Object of Interest TOI 2 3945.01

Context The Transiting Exoplanet Satellite (TESS) has identified thousands of planetary candidates, including TOI 3945.01, a potential short-period exoplanet orbiting a star. Ground-based photometric follow-up is essential to validate TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs), especially to rule out false positives such as nearby eclipsing binaries. The George Mason University (GMU) Observatory provides a high-quality telescope for follow-up observations that support the exoplanet validation effort. Aims Our objective was to confirm the transit signal of TOI 3945.01 detected by TESS and refine its transit parameters using ground-based light curve. We also aimed to assess whether any nearby contaminating stars could be influencing the depth or shape of the TESS transit signal. Ultimately, the aim is to contribute to the validation and characterization of this TOI as a planet candidate. Methods We conducted time-series photometry of TOI 3945.01 using the GMU 0.8m telescope. The raw images were then reduced and analyzed using AstroImageJ, including differential photometry and detrending. Results We detected a transit-like signal in the GMU ground-based photometry at the predicted time with a depth and duration similar to the predicted values. While partial weather interference increased photometric scatter and uncertainty, the dip in the light curve remains clear, proving additional validation for TOI 3945.01 as a transiting Neptune-sized exoplanet candidate.