Startalk Radio – Cosmic Queries – Cool Worlds with David Kipping

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews David Kipping, an astronomer from Columbia University who specializes in studying “cool worlds,” which are planets far away from their stars with cool enough temperatures to study. They discuss the challenges of exoplanet research, detection biases, the potential for life on exoplanets, and the exciting future of exoplanet exploration.

Main Takeaways

Exoplanet Research and Detection Biases

• Exoplanet research focuses on studying “cool worlds,” which are planets that are far away from their stars and have cool temperatures.
• The Cool Worlds Lab, founded by David Kipping at Columbia University, is dedicated to studying these cool worlds.
• Detection bias is a challenge in exoplanet research, as the most successful method, the transit method, requires planets and stars to be very close together.
• Planets that are farther away from their stars are more likely to be in the dark, making them easier to detect, but they are usually hot due to their proximity to their host star.
• Looking for planets close to their star is like looking for car keys under a lamppost, as it is easier to search where it’s brighter, but it may not yield the desired results.

Potential for Life on Exoplanets

• David Kipping is interested in studying cooler objects and the possibility of life on exoplanets.
• Detection biases make it difficult to determine the true number of exoplanets in the habitable zone.
• Approximately 50% of Sun-like stars have planets in the habitable zone, increasing the chances of finding potentially habitable exoplanets.
• There may be more habitable moons than habitable planets in the universe.
• The chemical composition of exoplanets’ atmospheres can be studied using techniques like spectral measurements.

Ring Systems and Exoplanet Exploration

• Planets in our solar system have different concentrations of elements, suggesting a ring-like solar nebula with bands of certain elements.
• Exoplanets’ iron content can be assumed based on the iron in the Sun, but deviations can lead to new discoveries.
• Extreme volcanism can provide an opportunity to sample the composition of exoplanets.
• Exoplanets with ring systems, like J4107b, challenge our understanding of ring systems and provide insights into planetary formation.
• Future telescopes like Plato and LSST hold promise for detecting and studying thousands of rocky planets and exoplanetary systems.

Summary

Exoplanet Research and Detection Biases

David Kipping, an astronomer from Columbia University, leads the Cool Worlds Lab, which focuses on studying “cool worlds,” or planets far away from their stars with cool temperatures. However, detection biases pose a challenge in exoplanet research. The transit method, the most successful detection method, requires planets and stars to be close together, limiting the search to brighter regions. This bias can make it difficult to find planets farther away from their stars, which are more likely to be in the dark but may have cooler temperatures. Overcoming these biases is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of exoplanets.

Potential for Life on Exoplanets

David Kipping’s interest in exoplanets extends to the possibility of habitable environments and the potential for life. Detection biases make it challenging to determine the true number of exoplanets in the habitable zone. However, approximately 50% of Sun-like stars are estimated to have planets in this zone, increasing the chances of finding potentially habitable exoplanets. Additionally, the study of exoplanetary atmospheres, through techniques like spectral measurements, offers insights into their chemical composition and potential habitability. The search for habitable exoplanets and signs of life continues to be an exciting and evolving field of research.

Ring Systems and Exoplanet Exploration

The study of ring systems, both in our solar system and in exoplanetary systems, provides valuable insights into planetary formation and composition. The concentration of elements in planets can be influenced by the presence of ring-like solar nebulae during their formation. Deviations from the iron content in the Sun can lead to new discoveries in exoplanetary research. Extreme volcanism offers opportunities to sample the composition of exoplanets and gain a deeper understanding of their characteristics. The discovery of exoplanets with ring systems, such as J4107b, challenges our understanding of these systems and forces us to redefine our knowledge. Future telescopes, like Plato and LSST, hold the potential to revolutionize exoplanet exploration and enable the detection and study of thousands of rocky planets and exoplanetary systems.

Conclusion

David Kipping’s research on “cool worlds” and his exploration of detection biases in exoplanet research shed light on the challenges and exciting possibilities in the field. The search for potentially habitable exoplanets and signs of life continues to captivate scientists and drive technological advancements. With future telescopes and missions, the study of exoplanets is poised to uncover new discoveries and reshape our understanding of the universe. As we continue to explore the cosmos, the quest for understanding our place in the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth remains an enduring pursuit.