Space Telescope Science Institute 2019 John N. Bahcall Lecture Series - 13th Annual

Lava Worlds to Living Worlds: How a NASA Mission Sparked the Search for Life Beyond the Solar System

NASA recently announced the end of an era. After nine years of operation, NASA’s Kepler spacecraft will be retired, but not without making an indelible imprint on humankind’s understanding of the universe. Perhaps its greatest legacy is the knowledge that planets outnumber stars in the galaxy. With over 2,500 planet discoveries and another 2,000 awaiting con confirmation, Kepler revealed a staggering diversity of worlds, turning sci-fi fantasy into scientific reality. It also changed our collective perspective regarding the feasability of finding evidence of life beyond Earth and catalyzed efforts across the globe to reach that goal. In this illustrated, nontechnical presentation, astrophysicist and planet hunter, Dr. Natalie Batalha, the former project scientist for NASA’s Kepler mission, will give an overview of Kepler’s remarkable scientific legacy. She will highlight some of the key discoveries and share a preview of exciting follow-up missions in progress and on the drawing board. With the retirement of Kepler, we pass the baton and watch in anticipation as a new era of exploration unfolds.

Date & Time

February 18, 2019 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Location

3700 San Martin Dr, Baltimore, MD, The John N. Bahcall Auditorium

Speakers

Natalie Batalha

Affiliation

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center & University of California, Santa Cruz

Notes

Reception in Cafe Azafran to follow lecture.