Exoplanets - the Search for Habitable Planets in our Solar system

Event Date:
2025-03-20T18:00:00
2025-03-20T19:30:00
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Library (Montalbano Family Theatre); 350 West Georgia St.
Vancouver V6B 6B1
Speaker:
Dr. Michelle Kunimoto
Related Upcoming Events:
Other Talks
Intended Audience:
Public
Local Contact:

Kirsty Dickson (communications@phas.ubc.ca)

Event Information:

Curious about how the universe actually works? Join the experts from UBC's Department of Physics & Astronomy to find out fun facts about everything from eclipses to space junk in this new, accessible science series. All are welcome!

How the Universe Works is a new partnership with the Vancouver Public Library and the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Monthly talks are posted on the VPL events page here: Events | Vancouver Public Library | BiblioCommons. Please register to attend!

 

Abstract:

Discoveries of planets outside of the Solar System ("exoplanets") have exploded over the last couple decades, and exoplanet science is one of the fastest growing fields of astronomy today. This talk will cover how to find exoplanets, how to identify those that are potentially habitable, and how anyone can take part in the hunt - even you - from the comfort of your own home!​

Bio:

Michelle Kunimoto is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UBC, where she also obtained her PhD. She was previously a postdoctoral fellow at MIT where she worked on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. Dr. Kunimoto is an expert on discovering and characterizing strange new worlds outside of the Solar System, known as exoplanets. She aims to understand the demographics and diversity of exoplanets, especially those that are potentially habitable and Earth-like. Across all of her planet-hunting endeavours, Dr. Kunimoto has found over 3000 planets and planet candidates.

Add to Calendar 2025-03-20T18:00:00 2025-03-20T19:30:00 Exoplanets - the Search for Habitable Planets in our Solar system Event Information: Curious about how the universe actually works? Join the experts from UBC's Department of Physics & Astronomy to find out fun facts about everything from eclipses to space junk in this new, accessible science series. All are welcome! How the Universe Works is a new partnership with the Vancouver Public Library and the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Monthly talks are posted on the VPL events page here: Events | Vancouver Public Library | BiblioCommons. Please register to attend!   Abstract: Discoveries of planets outside of the Solar System ("exoplanets") have exploded over the last couple decades, and exoplanet science is one of the fastest growing fields of astronomy today. This talk will cover how to find exoplanets, how to identify those that are potentially habitable, and how anyone can take part in the hunt - even you - from the comfort of your own home!​ Bio: Michelle Kunimoto is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UBC, where she also obtained her PhD. She was previously a postdoctoral fellow at MIT where she worked on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. Dr. Kunimoto is an expert on discovering and characterizing strange new worlds outside of the Solar System, known as exoplanets. She aims to understand the demographics and diversity of exoplanets, especially those that are potentially habitable and Earth-like. Across all of her planet-hunting endeavours, Dr. Kunimoto has found over 3000 planets and planet candidates. Event Location: Vancouver Public Library - Central Library (Montalbano Family Theatre); 350 West Georgia St. Vancouver V6B 6B1