Join Dr. Jessie Christiansen while planet hunting at the Mount Wilson Observatory – Pasadena Weekendr

Caltech researcher Dr. Jessie Christiansen will give a thought-provoking presentation, “The Search for Earth 2.0: Why We Think It Exists, and How We’re Going to Find It,” on June 1 at the Mount Wilson Observatory Auditorium. As an expert in discovering and studying planets orbiting stars outside our solar system, Dr. Christiansen draws from her extensive experience at the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at Caltech/IPAC. During her talk, she will explore the significance of exoplanet discoveries and share insights into the nature of these distant worlds and the profound implications they have for our understanding of the universe.

Her presentation will serve as a gateway to a deeper discussion of NASA’s efforts to answer important physics questions, highlighting the scientific challenges associated with uncovering these distant planetary systems. She will also delve into what discovering an Earth-like planet means for humanity, encouraging attendees to consider the impact that finding extraterrestrial life or confirming our loneliness in the universe could have on the society.

Dr. Christiansen is known for her collaborative work on several groundbreaking NASA missions, including Kepler, K2 and TESS, which aim to characterize the diverse array of exoplanets and identify the nearest exoplanets. As chief scientist of the NASA Exoplanet Archive, she plays a critical role in cataloging and analyzing data about these distant planets. She is also contributing to NASA’s future flagship mission, the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which will advance our exploration of potentially habitable planets.

Dr. Christiansen has a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of New South Wales in Australia and is a TED Fellow advocating for diversity and inclusion in STEAM fields. After the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to look through Mount Wilson’s historic telescopes, including the 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes used by Edwin Hubble in his research into the expanding universe. Visitors can also enjoy the atmosphere of the evening by bringing their own picnic or purchasing dinner from a food truck, while taking in the beauty of Mount Wilson’s natural environment and the clear night sky.

The lecture starts at 5:30 PM, there is on-site parking and a shuttle service is available for participants with disabilities. Admission is $50.00. For more information, visit www.mtwilson.edu/lectures/.

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