This is my story of my first attempt to “observe” a planet beyond our Solar System. I gave it the good college try; but the goal still alludes me. I am an armchair amateur astronomer. I only know a few constellations. It has been years since I have seen the Milky Way. The only instrument I own is a pair of Canon Image Stabilizer 10*30 binoculars. They are great for showing people the Galilean moons of Jupiter, and the Moon. Before October, 2002, the last observing trip I made was in 1986 to Fremont Peak (near San Juan Batista, California) for naked eye observation of Halley’s comet. That was before I got my binoculars. But still I consider myself an amateur astronomer. I read Ad Astra, The Planetary Report, Mercury, and Astronomy magazines cover-to-cover, every issue.

So it was not like me to get off my duff and go observe an extra-solar planet. When I learned it was possible to do this, I knew I had to try. Kind of like seeing Halley’s comet, except you get more chances. One star is known to have a planet in an orbit that is edge-on to us. So when the planet transits its host star, the light dims a bit. The star is HD209458, a sun-like star in Pegasus. It is 151 light years away. It shines at magnitude 7.7. The planet (cleverly named HD209458b) has an orbital period of about 3.5 days.

Kitt Peak observatory has a great public outreach program, the Advanced Observing Program (AOP). The AOP allows you to use their 16-inch telescope, CCD camera, computers, and other equipment for a flat fee. You get a knowledgeable guide. The program is suitable for anyone. All that is required is an interest in the sky. I took advantage of the AOP to observe the transit of HD209458b the night of October 17. Kitt Peak is a beautiful site, towering nearly 7000 feet over the southwestern Arizona desert.

Education and Public Outreach