Stargazing Lecture

Hot Jupiters, giant planets taking less than 10 days to orbit their host star, were among the first planets to be discovered around other stars like our own Sun. These planets have long been thought to form in the outer parts of young star systems before migrating in towards the hot inner regions near the host star where they are observed. More than two decades after their unveiling, however, hot Jupiters remain imperfectly understood. In this talk, I will discuss a radical idea -- that many hot Jupiter planets may actually form near their host star, built up by a population of smaller planets. I will present observational avenues towards confirming or refuting this model with significant implications for the evolution of planets around the galaxy. 

About the Series

Stargazing Lectures are free lectures at a public level followed by guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). All events are held at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Caltech. No reservations are needed. Lectures are 30 minutes; stargazing lasts 90 minutes. Stay only as long as you want.

Stargazing is only possible with clear skies, but the lecture, slideshow, and Q&A takes place regardless of weather.

For directions, weather updates, and more information, please visit: http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu.

Download the series flyer (PDF)