In the past 30 years, researchers have discovered a total of 5,655 exoplanets located outside our solar system. These discoveries have revolutionized astronomy by providing astronomers with an opportunity to expand their understanding of different stars in the universe. Yilen Gómez Maqueo Chew, a researcher at the Astronomy Institute of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), has been at the forefront of this advancement.
Each discovery of an exoplanet provides astronomers with insights into how planetary systems form and evolve. Additionally, it allows them to study the history and fate of the universe. The discovery of 51 Pegasi b in 1992 challenged previously held beliefs about planetary systems and revolutionized astronomy.
To detect these non-luminous planets, astronomers use the transit method, which involves observing the dimming of a star’s brightness when an exoplanet passes in front of it. In Mexico, the Saint-Ex project is dedicated to finding extrasolar planets using this technique. Named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, this project operates the Saint-Ex telescope which is located at the National Astronomical Observatory of San Pedro Mártir in Baja California. It is Mexico’s only telescope dedicated to searching for exoplanets.
In 2019, the telescope began observing and analyzing light curves leading to two exoplanet discoveries orbiting TOI-1266. However, in 2022, lightning struck and damaged the telescope requiring repairs before resuming operations later that year with improved systems. Looking ahead to 2024, Gómez Maqueo Chew expressed optimism about research on exoplanets using Saint-Ex telescope as it has already visualized over 80 stars and confirmed four planetary systems contributing data for nine others discoveries so far
