Lisa Kaltenegger, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Topic: "Characterizing 'Pale Blue Dots' in the Sky - Spectral Fingerprint of Habitability"  (Video)

ABSTRACT: After a decade rich in giant exoplanet detections, the detection and characterization of Earth-like planet is approaching rapidly with dedicated space observatories already in operation (Corot) or in development phase. How can we detect and characterize them? Can they be habitable? In my talk I will focus on the fascinating new results and models for Earth to super Earths as well as how we can read a planet's spectral fingerprint and characterize if it is potentially habitable.