ExoClock Unlocked: A project to increase public participation in exoplanet research

Abstract

Modern astronomical research increasingly relies on data obtained by robotic telescopes and processed through automated pipelines. While these advances have significantly enhanced scientific efficiency, they have also reduced opportunities for direct public engagement in observational astronomy. A key challenge in the new space era is therefore to create meaningful pathways for active participation in data-driven space science, particularly for individuals who do not have access to observational equipment. In this study, we present ExoClock Unlocked, a Citizen Science program developed to provide non-academic audiences with the opportunity to participate in exoplanet research within a professional scientific framework. Designed in the context of the ExoClock project, ExoClock Unlocked offers a supportive and inclusive environment in which participants from diverse backgrounds engage with all stages of modern astronomical research, including observation planning, data acquisition using remote robotic telescopes, data analysis, and presentation of scientific results. The program is directly linked to ESA’s Ariel space mission, with the scientific objective of supporting the monitoring and refinement of exoplanet ephemerides. Over four years of operation, ExoClock Unlocked has provided structured training and expert support to ~100 participants, leading to the acquisition and validation of 30 transit light curves for 25 exoplanets included in the Ariel Mission Candidate Sample (MCS). ExoClock Unlocked demonstrates that Citizen Science (CS) initiatives can produce scientific outcomes while simultaneously strengthening the relationship between space science and the society.