Andrew W. Howard - "Searching for Earth-like Planets"

The search for extrasolar planets has uncovered a dizzying array of planetary systems. We have found new planet types—lava worlds and super-Earths—as well as planets orbiting more than one star.

Dr. Howard will tour this diverse landscape with attention to planets similar to the Earth in their size, mass, and temperature. The recent discoveries give us tantalizing clues as to how our Solar System formed and point the way to detailed characterizations of atmospheres and compositions of Earth-like worlds using the next generation of telescopes.

Andrew W. Howard is Professor of Astronomy at Caltech, in the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy.

This is a free event; no tickets or reservations are required.

Reserved section tickets are available to members of the Friends of Beckman Auditorium and the Caltech Associates.