The search for Earth-like planets among the stars
There have been many planets discovered orbiting stars in our galaxy. Smaller and smaller planets are discovered every year using a variety of techniques, yet all planets found to date are more massive than Earth. Several new missions have been designed to find and eventually characterize Earth-sized planets around other stars. In this LASP public lecture from February 3, 2009, Dr. Sean Raymond offers a glimpse of the diversity of Earth-like worlds these missions may find.
There have been many planets discovered orbiting stars in our galaxy. Smaller and smaller planets are discovered every year using a variety of techniques, yet all planets found to date are more massive than Earth. Several new missions have been designed to find and eventually characterize Earth-sized planets around other stars. In this LASP public lecture from February 3, 2009, Dr. Sean Raymond offers a glimpse of the diversity of Earth-like worlds these missions may find.