Startalk Radio – Cosmic Queries – Discovering Exoplanets with Gáspár Bakos

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Gáspár Bakos, an astrophysicist from Princeton University, about his work in discovering exoplanets. Bakos shares insights into the methods and challenges of detecting planets outside our solar system.

Main Takeaways

Developing a System for Exoplanet Discovery

• Gáspár Bakosch from Princeton University has developed a system of small telescopes to discover exoplanets.
• Robotic telescopes can scan and monitor big areas of the sky non-stop and analyze data with computers.
• Small telescopes can detect the blink of a star when a planet goes in front of it.
• Telescopes are placed around the globe at tactical longitudes to observe around the clock.
• The transit of a planet can occur during daytime or nighttime, so telescopes are needed in multiple locations to cover all times.
• Latitude is important for astronomy, as extreme temperatures and humidity can affect observations.

Locations and Challenges of Exoplanet Observations

• Three telescope stations are located in Chile, Namibia, and Australia.
• The catalog of exoplanets is expected to continue rising, but predicting when it will reach 10,000 is difficult.
• Space missions have contributed the majority of exoplanet discoveries, but they have a limited lifetime.
• The TESS satellite is highly productive, but there are still many false positives among the 5,000 planet candidates.
• It’s important to verify that a transit is a repeating phenomenon to confirm a planet’s existence.

The Impact of Light Pollution and Satellites

• Dark Sacred Night is a documentary about the importance of dark skies and how they inspire wonder and curiosity.
• Smarter lighting is needed that is less wasteful and points less up into the sky.
• Light pollution has a ground-based component and a satellite component.
• Providing internet through satellites is primarily a business decision, not about saving the world.
• Efforts have been made to reduce light pollution from satellites, such as dimming them or painting them black.

Methods and Discoveries in Exoplanet Research

• Transiting exoplanets can reveal the size and orbital period of the planet, while direct imaging can reveal more detailed characteristics.
• Measuring the atmosphere of a planet can be done by taking a spectrum of the star with and without the planet in front of it.
• Oxygen and ozone are considered biomarkers for life on a planet.
• Every star statistically has an exoplanet, and planets in the universe are very different from our own.
• Low period planets are more frequent than short period ones.

The Future of Exoplanet Research

• A new small telescope system will measure the brightness of about 100 million stars every 30 seconds.
• Big space telescopes and large ground-based telescopes can improve detection methods.
• The Rubin telescope will revolutionize the measurement of transient phenomena.
• The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will be commissioned next year and will scan the sky every three days using a giant telescope with a mirror diameter of six and a half meters.
• The twilight zones are the best times to use the telescope as satellites reflect the sun during the day.

Summary

Developing a System for Exoplanet Discovery

Gáspár Bakosch, an astrophysicist from Princeton University, has developed a system of small telescopes that utilize robotic technology to discover exoplanets. These telescopes can continuously scan large areas of the sky, analyzing data with computers. By detecting the blink of a star when a planet passes in front of it, these telescopes can identify exoplanets.

Locations and Challenges of Exoplanet Observations

Strategically placed telescopes around the globe, in locations such as Chile, Namibia, and Australia, allow for continuous observation of exoplanet transits. However, predicting when the catalog of exoplanets will reach 10,000 is challenging. Space missions have contributed significantly to exoplanet discoveries, but they have limited lifetimes. The TESS satellite, while productive, still faces the issue of false positives among its 5,000 planet candidates.

The Impact of Light Pollution and Satellites

Light pollution, both from ground-based sources and satellites, poses challenges for exoplanet research. Efforts are being made to reduce light pollution and preserve dark skies through initiatives like the documentary “Dark Sacred Night.” Smarter lighting solutions that minimize wastefulness and prevent light from escaping into the sky are needed. Additionally, the growing number of satellites, primarily driven by business decisions, requires updates to the International Space Treaty to address their impact on astronomical observations.

Methods and Discoveries in Exoplanet Research

Transiting exoplanets provide valuable information about their size and orbital period, while direct imaging allows for more detailed characterization. Measuring the atmosphere of a planet can be achieved by analyzing the star’s spectrum with and without the planet in front of it. Biomarkers such as oxygen and ozone are indicators of potential life on exoplanets. The diversity of planets in the universe is vast, and low-period planets are more common than short-period ones.

The Future of Exoplanet Research

The future of exoplanet research looks promising with the development of a new small telescope system that can measure the brightness of millions of stars every 30 seconds. Additionally, advancements in big space telescopes and large ground-based telescopes will enhance detection methods. The upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, equipped with a giant telescope, will scan the sky every three days, revolutionizing the measurement of transient phenomena. Twilight zones, when satellites reflect sunlight, provide optimal conditions for telescope observations.

Conclusion

Gáspár Bakos and his team have made significant contributions to the discovery of exoplanets through their innovative system of small telescopes. Despite challenges such as light pollution and satellite interference, advancements in technology and the upcoming launch of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory hold promise for furthering our understanding of exoplanets and the vast diversity of the universe.