Hunting for Habitable Planets

For thousands of years people have wondered, “Are we alone?” Out of the 500 planets so far known to orbit nearby stars, about 100 transit their host stars, that is, the planet goes in front of its star as seen from Earth.

The transiting planets are “goldmines” for astronomers, because the planetary sizes, masses, and atmospheres can be routinely measured. NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope is further revolutionizing transiting exoplanet studies with its unprecedented photometric precision.

On Wednesday, January 26, as part of Perimeter Institute’s Public Lecture Series presented by Sun Life Financial, Kepler Science Team member Dr. Sara Seager will share her unique insights into recent Kepler announcements, and detail pioneering technology developments that will fuel the search for life on other worlds.

Professor Seager has been a pioneer in the vast and unknown world of exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than the sun. Her ground-breaking research ranges from the detection of exoplanet atmospheres, to innovative theories about life on other worlds, to development of novel nanosatellite space telescopes. Now, like an astronomical Indiana Jones, she’s on a quest after the field’s Holy Grail – the discovery of a true Earth twin. Dr. Seager earned her PhD from Harvard University and is now the Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Planetary Science and a Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Prof. Seager’s lecture, entitled “Exoplanets and the Search for Habitable Worlds” will be held Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00 pm in Waterloo, Ontario. Tickets will be available starting Monday, January 10th, 2011.

Further details can be found at www.perimeterinstitute.ca.

Media Inquiries: Lisa Lambert, llambert@perimeterinstitute.ca 519.569.7600 x5051.

About Perimeter Institute
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI) is an independent, non-profit, scientific research organization working to advance our understanding of physical laws and develop new ideas about the very essence of space, time, matter and information. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, PI also provides a wide array of research training and educational outreach activities to nurture scientific talent and share the importance of discovery and innovation among students, teachers and the general public. In partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, PI is a successful example of public-private collaboration in scientific research, training and outreach.

Media Contact

Lisa Lambert Newswise Science News

All latest news from the category: Physics and Astronomy

This area deals with the fundamental laws and building blocks of nature and how they interact, the properties and the behavior of matter, and research into space and time and their structures.

innovations-report provides in-depth reports and articles on subjects such as astrophysics, laser technologies, nuclear, quantum, particle and solid-state physics, nanotechnologies, planetary research and findings (Mars, Venus) and developments related to the Hubble Telescope.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Results for control of pollutants in water

Brazilian scientists tested a simple and sustainable method for monitoring and degrading a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds present in fossil fuels and industrial waste. An article published in the journal Catalysis…

A tandem approach for better solar cells

Perovskite-based solar cells were first proved in 2009 to have excellent light-absorbing properties of methylammonium lead bromide and methylammonium lead iodide, collectively referred to as lead halide perovskites or, more…

The behavior of ant queens is shaped by their social environment

Specialization of ant queens as mere egg-layers is reversible / Queen behavioral specialization is initiated and maintained by the presence of workers. The queens in colonies of social insects, such…

Partners & Sponsors