Dave W. Latham is a Senior Astronomer at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His recent research has focused on studies of transiting planets, both from the ground and with NASA's Kepler Mission. He is Chief Mission Scientist for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, an Explorer Mission selected by NASA for a Phase A Concept Study.

Transiting planets are special, because we can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. Can we find rocky worlds similar to the Earth, with the right temperature for water to be liquid on the surface?  NASA missions will play a key role in this quest.

This program is made possible by the generous support of NASA and Aerojet.