How to Find an Inhabited Exoplanet

Explore the fascinating search for inhabited exoplanets in this 1-hour 24-minute lecture by Harvard University's David Charbonneau, hosted by Dr. Frank Summers at the Space Telescope Science Institute. Delve into the groundbreaking discoveries of thousands of exoplanets orbiting distant stars, with a focus on Earth-sized planets found to be common throughout the Galaxy. Learn about the methods used to detect these planets, including transit and Doppler techniques, and understand how astronomers plan to use upcoming large telescopes to examine exoplanet atmospheres for potential signs of life. Gain insights into the Kepler Mission's contributions, the importance of star types in the search, and projects like TRAPPIST and Mirth. Discover how the quest for extraterrestrial life has entered an exciting new phase, combining various telescopes and methods to expand our understanding of the universe and our place within it.