Extrasolar Planets: Discovering other worlds

Dr Rosemary Mardling from Monash University, will present a free public lecture, " Extrasolar Planets: Discovering other worlds", at 7pm on Thursday 15th October 2009,in Lecture Theatre C1, Building 63, at the Monash University's Clayton Campus.

This is the eighth and last of the series of public lectures presented by Monash University, as part of their International Year of Astronomy celebrations.

Although we have long suspected the Universe is home to trillions upon trillions of planets like our own, the world had to wait until 1992 for the announcement of the discovery of planets outside the Solar System. Seventeen years later over 370 planets are known, most of which are in systems which look nothing like our own. How and why are they so different? What does this tell us about our own planetary system? Is our Solar System a rare jewel in the vastness of space, or is it simply that we don't have the ability to find other us's yet? The feeble light emitted by planets, most of which is simply reflected starlight, is almost impossible to detect in the fierce light of the parent star. How is this difficulty overcome? What do the world's astronomers have planned for the future?

Dr Rosemary Mardling is a Monash astrophysicist who uses mathematics to understand how systems of stars and planets move under the influence of their own gravity. She will discuss these and other questions in this final lecture of the Monash IYA 2009 series.

Following the public lecture (weather permitting), an astronomical viewing session will be held on the top level of the multi-storey car park at the north west corner of the Clayton Campus. Please note that clear nights can be very cold, so please bring warm clothing if you plan to attend the viewing session.

Bookings Recommended - please contact Julia Barnes at the School of Physics via email

Julia.Barnes at sci.monash.edu.au

or phone 03 9905 3652.

If you haven’t been to the Clayton Campus of Monash University before, please refer to Melways map 70 - F10, which will direct you to a detailed map of the Monash University Clayton Campus site. The lecture will take place in Lecture Theatre C1 in Building 63.

You can park in the lower levels of the multi-storied car park, which is at the north-west corner of the Clayton campus. Monash staff will be there to direct you from the car park to the lecture theatre.