Why Are Exoplanetary Systems Unlike the Solar System?
About
NASA's Kepler mission discovered over 4,400 transiting planets around other stars, including over 700 systems with multiple planets. This sample of exoplanet systems enables us to study planetary systems as a population, and test planet formation theory. The results are that our Solar System has a relatively rare configuration, and we don't know why. In this talk, we will explore the expectations of planet formation theory, and the constraints that are now available form observations, as we work toward the goal of understanding how common Earth-like worlds are and finding such cosmic neighbors. Speaker Daniel Jontof-Hutter is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He studies planetary dynamics, what we can learn about planetary systems from their motion. His research goals include pushing the characterization of low-mass exoplanets toward the terrestrial regime, using big data and dynamical simulations. For accessibility accommodations (ex. ASL), please fill out the online form at sccld.org/accessibility 7+days prior to the event. If you need assistance with the form, speak with a staff member at your local library, call (408) 540-3945, or email us at ask@lib.sccgov.org.
