Exoplanets – Apr 13

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In the last decade, the commissioning of new observatories (both on Earth and in space) and the development of new techniques for analyzing large datasets (including the application of deep learning) have allowed dramatic advancements in our understanding of extrasolar planets. This talk will explore how exoplanets are formed, what techniques allow their discovery, and why they have been fundamental to understanding our place in the Universe.

Our speaker, Dr. Megan Ansdell, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley's Center for Integrative Planetary Sciences.


Dr. Megan Ansdell

WHAT: Exoplanets: The How, What, & Why of Planets Around Other Stars
WHO: Dr. Megan Ansdell, Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley
WHERE: Cushing "Mountain" Amphitheater, Pan Toll Road at Ridgecrest Blvd, Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Map: [http://goo.gl/maps/iRRFR]
WHEN: 2019-04-13 — 7:30pm, Sat, April 13 (1 hour)
HOW:

Mt. Tamalpais State Park closes at sunset; on April 13th, that's ~ 7:45pm. Only vehicles with an Astronomy Program parking pass will be admitted thereafter:

  •    Print a FREE Astro Program parking pass at this Eventbrite website.
  •    After sunset, vehicles lacking a parking pass may be cited.
  •    Vehicles can exit the Park until 10:30pm; after that, remaining vehicles may be cited.

This event is presented, admission-free, by Wonderfest, the Friends of Mount Tam, the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, and Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Optional sky tour and telescope viewing will follow the lecture.

Bring a flashlight and — even though mountaintop weather (above the fog) can be warmer than down at sea level — wear warm clothes in layers. If rain or wildfire threatens, call 415-455-5370 after 3:30pm on event day to learn about event status.