Habitability of Exoplanets - Lessons from the Solar System

Join a seminar exploring the fascinating search for habitable exoplanets and potential extraterrestrial life, drawing crucial insights from our Solar System. Delve into the remarkable journey of exoplanet discovery since 1995, examining how astronomers have identified and characterized over 5,000 planets orbiting distant stars. Learn about various observational methods used to determine planetary properties including size, orbital periods, temperature, and composition. Explore astrobiological definitions of habitability and evaluate the possibilities of finding life both within our Solar System and beyond. Examine key questions about recognizing biosignatures on other planets and consider how extraterrestrial life might compare to Earth-based life forms. Led by Floris van der Tak from SRON (Netherlands Institute for Space Research) and the University of Groningen, this hour-long discussion bridges the gap between Solar System exploration and the broader search for habitable worlds in our galaxy.