Dr. Sara Seager and The Hunt for Earth 2.0

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This week’s episode comes to you from the Brattle Theater in Boston. You’re the Expert presents Dr. Sara Seager, a professor of astrophysics and planetary science at MIT.

Dr. Sara Seagerphoto cred: MIT/Justin Knight — Dr. Sara Seager
*photo cred: MIT/Justin Knight*

Dr. Seager’s work focuses on the science and theory surrounding exoplanets, or planets beyond our solar system. She was working towards her PhD at Harvard in the mid 90s when scientists first began seeing evidence of exoplanets. Since then, Dr. Seager has focused her research on the theoretical models of atmospheres and interiors of exoplanets. As a member of the team responsible for co-discovering the first spectrum and first light detection of an exoplanet, Dr. Seager’s passion for astronomy has brought her to the forefront of her field.

Why it matters:

As Dr. Seager said in her 2015 Ted Talk, the discovery of extraterrestrial life is within reach for the first time in human history. Understanding the atmosphere of an exoplanet is fundamental to determining whether or not an exoplanet is a “Goldilocks planet”, with an environment capable of supporting life.

Further Reading:

Examining the transmission spectra of exoplanets, and the subsequent detection of an exoplanet atmosphere:

Seager, S., & Sasselov, D. D. 2000, “Theoretical Transmission Spectra During an Extrasolar Giant Planet Transit”, ApJ, 537, 916-921.

On the retrieval of exoplanet atmosphere profiles and data:

Madhusudhan, N. & Seager, S. 2010, “A Temperature and Abundance Retrieval Method for Exoplanet Atmospheres”, ApJ, 707, 24-39.

On habitable zones:

https://www.saraseager.com/research/exoplanet-habitable-zones/

To see more updates on Dr. Seager’s work:

Website:

https://www.saraseager.com/research/exoplanet-atmospheres/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/profsaraseager?lang=en

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sara_seager/

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This episode of You’re the Expert is coming to you from the New England Aquarium, where we’re joined by Elizabeth Burgess, a marine biologist.

Dr. Burgess received her PhD from the University of Queensland in Australia. She is currently researching reproductive biology in marine mammals at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life in the New England Aquarium. Dr. Burgess is developing methods to safely monitor hormones of marine mammals, focusing in particular on baleen whales and manatees. The Center is focusing much of its work on studying and rehabilitating marine mammal populations through practical solutions, and Liz’s research is a very important part of their efforts.

Why it matters:

Hormones reveal a great deal of information about marine mammal populations, and can be used to evaluate specimen’s health, pregnancy, and stress. Using this information, scientists can understand the impact of ocean industrialization and take steps to keep marine mammal populations safe, healthy, and thriving.