Research

To date my research has focused on synergizing rigorous astrophysics and citizen science, utilizing observations and data from professional telescopes like the Lick Nickel Telescope, Automated Planet Finder (APF), and Keck, while also tapping into citizen science collected data from the Unistellar Exoplanet Campaign (my first published first-author paper, 2023). Our work with Unistellar has demonstrated the efficacy of citizen science-operated Unistellar eVscopes in providing crucial follow-up data, exemplified by updating the orbital parameters of Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) planet candidates like TOI 3799.01, refining the mid-transit time for TOI 2031.01, and capturing the longest transit captured by ground-based telescopes with Kepler-167 e. This highlights the strategic advantage of a globally distributed citizen science network, particularly its capability to capture extended transit photometry data across various time zones. Building on this, my recent first-author peer-reviewed publication in the Astronomical Journal (AJ), Confirming the Warm and Dense Sub-Saturn TIC 139270665 b with the Automated Planet Finder and Unistellar Citizen Science Network (2024), employs both Doppler and transit methodologies, merging professional and citizen science data, to confirm one of the densest warm sub-Saturn exoplanets ever observed and has 16 high school student co-authors for their contributed data. See this SETI Institute press release summarizing the work related to TIC 139270665 b and the exciting work done with these students.

While the primary focus of my PhD had been in exoplanet research, I also contributed to astronomy education research and outreach. With the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA), I developed inquiry-based curricula that connected classroom learning to real-world scientific investigations using the Modeling Instruction Astronomy pedagogy, where students and teachers learn by doing and participate in exoplanet data collection and analysis. This work combines the education efforts of Global Hands-On Universe (GHOU) with Modeling Instruction in a new AMTA teacher workshop and graduate-level course (University of Pacific) called "Astronomy Modeling with Exoplanets" (AME). In a mixed methods research study on AME, we found that teachers with little or no prior background in astronomy or astrophysics were able to conduct astronomical observations, perform photometry on astronomical data sets, and include more astrophysics in their high school level courses than many college-level introductory astronomy courses. My paper related to this work is still in peer-review with the Journal of Science Teacher Education (JSTE). Revisions on the JSTE article are likely to be completed in mid to late 2024. Other astronomy education research completed has included studying the effect of smart digital telescopes on the inclusion of citizen science with community college instructors and their students in the Unistellar College Astronomy Network (UCAN) program, and action research with my recent high school astrophysics students using AME. I hope at some point in the future to write articles or pass the data along for a collaborative write-up on UCAN and the high school AME research.

As I move forward in my research, my primary focus is on developing innovative pathways for science education, particularly in underserved K-12 institutions. I aim to create a pipeline program that connects high school students to community colleges and universities, fostering deeper engagement with astronomy and other STEM fields through citizen science. By integrating real-world research opportunities into the classroom, I hope to inspire the next generation of scientists and bridge gaps in access to advanced scientific learning.

Additionally, I’m exploring how to combine data sonification, astrophysics, and cultural storytelling to create unique, inspiring messages about our place in the universe. Drawing on my background as a musician and songwriter, I’m particularly interested in using pop music songwriting as a medium to engage the public in conversations about the cosmic perspective. This approach blends scientific data with creative expression, offering an innovative way to make astronomy more relatable, accessible, and emotionally resonant for diverse audiences. Ultimately, my goal is to merge science and art in a way that inspires curiosity and fosters a sense of connection to the cosmos.

Publications

Please see my ORCiD and Google Scholar pages as well.

PhD Thesis by Publication

Peluso, Daniel O’Conner. 2024. Democratizing & Enhancing Exoplanet Research with the Unistellar Citizen Science Network & Astronomy Modeling Instruction. PhD by Publication Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/z58xw

In production or peer-review

Peluso, Daniel O., Megowan-Romanowicz, C. Astronomy Modeling with Exoplanets: Improving Student Engagement with Teacher Pedagogy and Motivation, currently (Aug. 2023) in peer-review with the Journal of Science Teacher Education (JSTE). Click HERE for a preprint version of the original manuscript.

Refereed peer-reviewed publications

Peluso, Daniel O., Dalba, Paul A., Wright, Duncan, Esposito, Thomas M. . . . U.C. Scientists. (2024). Confirming the Warm and Dense Sub-Saturn TIC 139270665 b with the Automated Planet Finder and Unistellar Citizen Science Network. The Astronomical Journal, 167(4), 170. doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad2772 

Peluso, Daniel O., Esposito, T. M., Marchis, F., Dalba, P. A., Sgro, L., Megowan-Romanowicz, C., ... & Scientists, U. C. (2023). The Unistellar Exoplanet Campaign: Citizen Science Results and Inherent Education Opportunities. Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 135(1043), 015001. doi: 10.1088/1538-3873/acaa58

Sgro, L. A., Esposito, T. M., Blaclard, G., Gomez, S., Marchis, F., Filippenko, A. V., Peluso, D.O.,. . . Arnaud, Y. (2023). Photometry of Type II Supernova SN 2023ixf with a Worldwide Citizen Science Network. Research Notes of AAS, 7(7), 141. doi:10.3847/2515-5172/ace41f

Graykowski, A., Lambert, R. A., Marchis, ... Peluso, D., ..., & Transom, I. M. (2023). Light Curves and Colors of the Ejecta from Dimorphos after the DART Impact. Nature, 1-3. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05852-9

Buie, M. W., Keeney B. A., ..., Peluso, D. (2021). Size and Shape of (11351) Leucus from Five Occultations. The Planetary Science Journal, 2(5), 202. doi:10.3847/psj/ac1f9b

Dalba, P. A., Kane, S. R., ..., Peluso, D. (2021). Giant Outer Transiting Exoplanet Mass (GOT ‘EM) Survey. II. Discovery of a Failed Hot Jupiter on a 2.7 Yr, Highly Eccentric Orbit*. The Astronomical Journal, 162(4), 154. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac134b