Dartmouth Events

Abstract: The detection of exoplanets orbiting other stars has revolutionized our
view of the cosmos. First results suggest that it is teeming with a
fascinating diversity of rocky planets including those in the Habitable
Zone. With upcoming telescopes, we will be able to peer into the
atmospheres of rocky planets and get a glimpse into other worlds. Using
our own planet and its wide range of biota as a key we explore how we
could detect habitability and signs of life on exoplanets over
interstellar distances. Current telescopes are not yet powerful enough
to characterize habitable exoplanets, but the next generation of
telescopes that is already being built, will have the capabilities to
characterize close-by habitable worlds. The first exoplanets orbiting in
the temperate, Habitable Zone, have revolutionized the field of the
search for life in the cosmos. With their discovery comes the question
of how you can tell if there are signs of a life watching remotely. The
discussion on what makes a planet a habitat and how to detect signs of
life is lively. This talk will show the latest results, discuss
challenges of how to identify and characterize such habitable worlds and
how near-future telescopes will revolutionize the field.