Stargazing Lecture

These events are back to occurring in-person, so if the weather allows, we will host our telescope-aided stargazing. Event will be hybrid, so we'll stream the lecture and the panel Q&A over YouTube livestream. In-person audience members will be required to prove full vaccination status at the door and wear a mask while in indoor spaces as per Caltech policy.

In addition, the event will be live-streamed here: https://youtu.be/6WB2NBoVifw

7:00–7:30 p.m. - Public Lecture
7:30–9:00 p.m. - Panel Q&A and Guided Stargazing

The Solar system is the only planetary system we had ever contemplated until the 1990s. After 30 years of relentless planet hunting, it is now just one example amongst a mind-boggling variety of systems that even the wildest science-fiction authors could ever have imagined: hellish hot Jupiters, Tatooine-like worlds, water-worlds, super-Earths, mini-Neptunes, and more! The vast majority of the 5000+ exoplanets found so far have been discovered indirectly by techniques looking at tiny variations in their host star's motion and/or brightness. Only a small fraction of these 5000 exoplanets have had their picture taken, let alone analyzed for their surface conditions. Yet, taking direct pictures of exoplanets and analyzing their light with our most powerful telescopes is the only way astronomers will one day find an exoplanet the size of the Earth orbiting a quiet star like the Sun. When this day comes, the quest for finding Earth 2.0 may finally be over, potentially opening the next great chapter in our exploration of the cosmos.

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by a Q&A panel and guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing and panel Q&A last 90 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture and panel Q&A takes place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.