Life at the edge of what is possible with Kepler

Colloquium: Astronomy Colloquia | February 21 | 4-5 p.m. | 1 LeConte Hall

Speaker/Performer: Tom Barclay, ARC-SSA

Sponsor: Department of Astronomy

The Kepler spacecraft is an astounding instrument. However, those working with the data always want to push the instrument to the limit. I will discuss three pieces of work that showcase what is possible with Kepler. The first is a study of the hot Jupiter TrES-2b that explores what can be learned about the planet using the Kepler photometry alone. The second study explores the smallest planet candidates found using Kepler. These sub-Earth-sized candidates can only be found using an instrument as sensitive as the Kepler spacecraft. Finally, I will discuss the progress we are making towards finding the first Earth-like planet. The most important and most challenging goal of the Kepler mission.

Event Contact: rhelgens@astro.berkeley.edu, 510-642-5275