PHYS/ASTR Colloquium: “The Search for Other Earths” - Dr. Megan Bedell (Assoc. Research Scientist, Flatiron Institute, New York)

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPT. OF PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM SERIES

DR. MEGAN BEDELL
ASSOC. RESEARCH SCIENTIST, FLATIRON INSTITUTE, NEW YORK

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 3:30-4:45 PM

“THE SEARCH FOR OTHER EARTHS”

Detecting a true Earth twin exoplanet (an Earth-mass planet orbiting a Sun-like star within the habitable zone) has recently become feasible for the first time thanks to advances in observational technology. I will give an overview of the motivations and challenges in achieving this goal, and in discovering new exoplanets more generally. In particular, I'll focus on the Terra Hunting Experiment, an upcoming radial velocity (RV) survey dedicated to the search for Earth twins. I will also present recent work on designing surveys and developing statistical tools for measuring sub-meter-per-second amplitude motions in distant stars.

Note: Students are invited (and encouraged) to enjoy a pizza lunch with the speaker. Lunch is between noon and 1:30 in TH123.