light curve fitting

Light curve fitting is a technique used to analyze the brightness of an astronomical object over time, often represented in a graph called a light curve. By fitting a mathematical model to this data, scientists can identify patterns, such as periodic changes in brightness caused by transiting exoplanets, variable stars, or supernovae. This process helps determine key properties of the objects, like size, distance, and composition, by understanding how their light changes. Essentially, it transforms time-varying brightness data into insights about celestial phenomena.