Our Galactic Neighbourhood: what we can learn from exoplanets and interstellar objects

Join us for our second astrophysics public lecture of the year, given by physics graduate student Tim Hallatt. The whole family is welcome to learn about the fascinating world of exoplanets and interstellar objets!

Abstract:

In the past two decades, thousands of planets have been discovered orbiting stars other than our Sun (termed 'exoplanets'). We now know that our solar system is likely one of billions of planetary systems in our Milky Way galaxy. With this 'exoplanet revolution', a new field of astrophysics has emerged - the study of exoplanet demographics. In this talk I will explore recent advances in this exciting new field, both from an observational point of view (how are exoplanets discovered, and how are their masses, radii, and orbital distances distributed?), as well as a theoretical point of view (what fundamental physics sculpts exoplanet populations?). In the second part of my talk, I will discuss a related emerging field of astrophysics, the study of interstellar objects. These comets and asteroids travel freely through our Milky Way galaxy, and occasionally pass through our own cosmic backyard. By studying them up close as they pass through our solar system, we may be able to learn about the planetary systems they originate from in exquisite detail. Hundreds more of these interstellar bodies will likely be discovered in the next decade, and may jumpstart a new revolution in the study of planetary objects.

The event will be broadcast on the AstroMcGill, Physics Matters and McGill Space Institute pages via Facebook Live.

https://www.facebook.com/AstroMcGill/

https://www.facebook.com/physicsmatters

https://www.facebook.com/McGillSpaceInstitute

You can also join us on ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82731633772