Video chat with astronomer Courtney Dressing. Ask questions about her research about habitable exoplanets, what it’s like to be an astronomer, or anything else that interests you. Courtney Dressing is an astronomer at the California Institute of Technology.
In the event of inclement weather, the program may be moved or postponed. Check @SIObservatory for updates or call (202) 633-2517.
Accessibility: The Observatory dome is accessible.
Astronomers using data from NASA’s Kepler mission have discovered the three smallest planets yet detected orbiting a star beyond our sun. The planets orbit a single star, called KOI-961, and are 0.78, 0.73 and 0.57 times the radius of Earth. The smallest is about the size of Mars. All three planets are thought to be rocky like Earth, but orbit close to their star. That makes them too hot to be in the habitable zone, which is the region where liquid water could exist.
Visitors video chat with astronomer Courtney Dressing at an Astronomy Chat in the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory.