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Exoplanets have been found in a relatively small region of our galaxy, the Milky Way. According to NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, there are more planets in the universe than stars. Our solar system's exoplanets comprise similar elements to our planets, but their mixtures may differ. By measuring the sizes (diameters) and masses (weights) of exoplanets, we can determine their compositions, which range from very rocky (like Earth and Venus) to very gaseous (like Jupiter and Saturn). Some planets may be dominated by water, ice, or iron, while others are dominated by iron or carbon. A stellar world with lava seas, a puffy planet, and a planet whose core is as dense as Styrofoam have been identified. Since then, we've discovered thousands of exoplanets using various detection methods. From Earth, it is infrequent to see an exoplanet through a telescope the way you might see Saturn. Direct imaging has only been used to find a handful of exoplanets (and these are usually young gas giants orbiting very far from their stars). Exoplanets are now part of our universe. There are thousands of confirmed planets. This is only a tiny part of the entire galaxy. As we increase the number and observing power of robotic telescopes deployed in space, the number could rise into the tens of thousands within a decade. Since then, we've discovered thousands of exoplanets using various detection methods. From Earth, it is infrequent to see an exoplanet through a telescope the way you might see Saturn. That's called direct imaging, and only a handful of exoplanets have been found this way (and these are young gas giant planets orbiting very far from their stars). Exoplanets are now part of our universe. Thousands of planets have been confirmed. This is only a tiny sampling of the galaxy. By deploying more robotic telescopes into space, we will see tens of thousands of stars within a decade.
Describes the science of planet hunters, the prospects for the discovery of alien life, and discusses the controversies surrounding extrasolar-planet research.
Solar System Planets and Exoplanets provides a current viewpoint of planetary systems. The solar system’s planets and exoplanets are addressed in an overview manner, and specific space probe data are used to provide a current state of knowledge of Venus and Mars. Recent Mars data and associated observations are addressed in several chapters. Of particular interest are data that suggest the possibility that life could have existed on the planet’s surface during its past when Mars’ atmosphere was wetter and denser. The search for life on Mars is one of the main objectives of space missions, and it is an ongoing theme of this book. Key to the existence of life is the evolution of the radiation output of the Sun that is discussed and projected into the future. Space probe data related to the Asteroid Belt is also presented. Technological advances in terms of operating aircraft on Mars and propulsion systems provide useful commentary regarding future innovations that will enhance upcoming space missions and the search for life.
Driven by discoveries, and enabled by leaps in technology and imagination, our understanding of the universe has changed dramatically during the course of the last few decades. The fields of astronomy and astrophysics are making new connections to physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Based on a broad and comprehensive survey of scientific opportunities, infrastructure, and organization in a national and international context, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics outlines a plan for ground- and space- based astronomy and astrophysics for the decade of the 2010's. Realizing these scientific opportunities is contingent upon maintaining and strengthening the foundations of the research enterprise including technological development, theory, computation and data handling, laboratory experiments, and human resources. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics proposes enhancing innovative but moderate-cost programs in space and on the ground that will enable the community to respond rapidly and flexibly to new scientific discoveries. The book recommends beginning construction on survey telescopes in space and on the ground to investigate the nature of dark energy, as well as the next generation of large ground-based giant optical telescopes and a new class of space-based gravitational observatory to observe the merging of distant black holes and precisely test theories of gravity. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics recommends a balanced and executable program that will support research surrounding the most profound questions about the cosmos. The discoveries ahead will facilitate the search for habitable planets, shed light on dark energy and dark matter, and aid our understanding of the history of the universe and how the earliest stars and galaxies formed. The book is a useful resource for agencies supporting the field of astronomy and astrophysics, the Congressional committees with jurisdiction over those agencies, the scientific community, and the public.
**The Cosmic Frontier Embark on an Extraordinary Journey Beyond Our Solar System** Unlock the mysteries of the universe and explore the vast expanse beyond our solar system with "The Cosmic Frontier." This compelling eBook offers an in-depth look at the fascinating world of exoplanets and the groundbreaking techniques used to study them. Whether you're a seasoned astronomy enthusiast or new to the subject, this comprehensive guide is your gateway to understanding the latest discoveries in exoplanet science. Discover the allure of exoplanets, planets that orbit stars beyond our Sun, beginning with their captivating history and the reasons why their study is paramount in modern astronomy. Dive into the various methods scientists use to detect these distant worlds, from the Transit Method to Gravitational Microlensing, each unveiling secrets hidden in the cosmos. With detailed chapters on the Kepler Space Telescope and its monumental discoveries, "The Cosmic Frontier" highlights how this mission has shaped our understanding of space and what lies ahead. Explore the concept of the Goldilocks Zone, identifying conditions necessary for life and examining potentially habitable exoplanets that have captured worldwide attention. Beyond gas giants and super-Earths, the book introduces an array of diverse exoplanets, including rogue planets and water worlds. Learn about the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life and the role of SETI in this intriguing quest, while examining how exoplanets have permeated popular culture. Future prospects in exoplanet research appear bright, with upcoming missions, technological advances, and international collaboration paving the way. Take a closer look at spectroscopy and ground-based telescopes that have revolutionized the study of exoplanetary atmospheres. "The Cosmic Frontier" delves into the formation of exoplanets, comparative planetology, citizen science, and the ethical implications of discovering life. Engage with visionary chapters that ask the big questions in exoplanet science and provide practical tools for aspiring astronomers. Immerse yourself in captivating case studies of iconic exoplanets, from the TRAPPIST-1 system to Proxima Centauri b, and gain insights into current trends and future challenges in this ever-evolving field. Journey through "The Cosmic Frontier" and inspire the next generation of explorers with the wonders of the universe.
Are we alone? In 1995 planet hunters discovered the first alien solar system around a star like our own Sun. Ken Croswell tells the fascinating story of this discovery and the people who made it, then explores the possibility that one day we may have the technology to travel to different solar systems and find life.
A world-renowned astronomer and an esteemed science writer make the provocative argument for space exploration without astronauts. Human journeys into space fill us with wonder. But the thrill of space travel for astronauts comes at enormous expense and is fraught with peril. As our robot explorers grow more competent, governments and corporations must ask, does our desire to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars justify the cost and danger? Donald Goldsmith and Martin Rees believe that beyond low-Earth orbit, space exploration should proceed without humans. In The End of Astronauts, Goldsmith and Rees weigh the benefits and risks of human exploration across the solar system. In space humans require air, food, and water, along with protection from potentially deadly radiation and high-energy particles, at a cost of more than ten times that of robotic exploration. Meanwhile, automated explorers have demonstrated the ability to investigate planetary surfaces efficiently and effectively, operating autonomously or under direction from Earth. Although Goldsmith and Rees are alert to the limits of artificial intelligence, they know that our robots steadily improve, while our bodies do not. Today a robot cannot equal a geologist's expertise, but by the time we land a geologist on Mars, this advantage will diminish significantly. Decades of research and experience, together with interviews with scientific authorities and former astronauts, offer convincing arguments that robots represent the future of space exploration. The End of Astronauts also examines how spacefaring AI might be regulated as corporations race to privatize the stars. We may eventually decide that humans belong in space despite the dangers and expense, but their paths will follow routes set by robots.
“A definitive guide to astronomy’s hottest field.” —The Economist Since its formation nearly five billion years ago, our planet has been the sole living world in a vast and silent universe. But over the past two decades, astronomers have discovered thousands of “exoplanets,” including some that could be similar to our own world, and the pace of discovery is accelerating. In a fascinating account of this unfolding revolution, Lee Billings draws on interviews with the world’s top experts in the search for life beyond earth. He reveals how the search for exoplanets is not only a scientific challenge, but also a reflection of our culture’s timeless hopes, dreams, and fears.
Written by well-known scientists in the field with vast experience in teaching astrophotonics, this is the first book to bridge astronomy and photonics for the benefit of developing new astronomical instrumentation. The textbook is clearly structured and covers four main methods relevant to observational astronomy: adaptive optics, photometry, interferometry and spectroscopy. It follows a progressive didactical path in photonics, starting from fundamentals of wave- and micro-optics and developing step-by-step the formalisms required for the treatment of optical multilayers, fiber optics and diffraction/holographic gratings. This approach allows students with a physics/engineering background to learn about the problematic of observational astronomy, while, conversely, students of astronomy are exposed to topics in modern photonics. Each chapter is divided into three main sections devoted to the discussion of astronomical concepts required to size an instrument designed for the particular method, the photonic concepts that most suit that instrument, and an analysis of existing, related photonic instruments. A set of exercises and a bibliography complete each chapter. Appendices include a short review of fundamentals of wave optics and photon detectors, plus an overview of project design and management using a real-life example of an astronomical instrumentation project. With its review of the latest instrumentation and techniques, this is invaluable for graduate and post-graduate students in astronomy, physics and optical engineering.
An astrophysicist recounts how her team of researchers surfed the cosmos to map our local universe—and discovered the Laniakea supercluster, home of the Milky Way. You are here: on Earth, which is part of the solar system, which is in the Milky Way galaxy, which itself is within the extragalactic supercluster Laniakea. And how can we pinpoint our location so precisely? For 20 years, astrophysicist Hélène Courtois surfed the cosmos with international teams of researchers, working to map our local universe. In this book, Courtois describes this quest and the discovery of our home supercluster. Courtois explains that Laniakea (which means “immense heaven” in Hawaiian) is the largest galaxy structure known to which we belong; it is huge, almost too large to comprehend—about 500 million light-years in diameter. It contains about 100,000 large galaxies like our own, and a million smaller ones. Writing accessibly for nonspecialists, Courtois describes the visualization and analysis that allowed her team to map such large structures of the universe. She highlights the work of individual researchers, including portraits of several exceptional women astrophysicists—presenting another side of astronomy. Key ideas are highlighted in text insets; illustrations accompany the main text. The French edition of this book was named the Best Astronomy Book of 2017 by the astronomy magazine Ciel et espace. For this MIT Press English-language edition, Courtois has added descriptions of discoveries made after Laniakea: the cosmic velocity web and the Dipole and Cold Spot repellers. An engaging account of one of the most important discoveries in astrophysics in recent years, her story is a tribute to teamwork and international collaboration.