Aliens are Hard to Find with Prof. Sara Seager

About this episode

Professor Sara Seager discusses her research on exoplanet atmospheres and the search for signs of life in the universe.

Sara Seager is the Professor of Planetary Science, Professor of Physics, and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her past research is credited with laying the foundation for the field of exoplanet atmospheres, while her current research focuses on exoplanet atmospheres and the future search for signs of life by way of atmospheric biosignature gases. Professor Seager is involved with a number of space-based exoplanet searches including as the Deputy Science Director for the MIT-led NASA mission TESS, as the Principle Investigator for the on-orbit JPL/MIT CubeSat ASTERIA, and as a lead for Starshade Rendezvous Mission.Her PhD is from Harvard University, and her BSc from the University of Toronto. Among other accolades, Professor Seager is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a 2013 MacArthur Fellow.Sara Seager links:(affiliate links) The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir https://amzn.to/3s2VPVtExoplanets (Space Science Series) https://amzn.to/3qy8MX3https://twitter.com/ProfSaraSeagerWant to support the channel?Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EventHorizonShowFollow us at other places!Website…

People in this episode

Host: John Michael Godier

Guest: Sara Seager

Topics covered

• exoplanets
• atmospheric biosignatures
• space missions
• planetary science
• search for extraterrestrial life

Keywords

• exoplanets
• atmospheres
• biosignature gases
• NASA TESS
• space exploration
• planetary science
• Sara Seager

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NASA, JPL, National Academy of Sciences, MacArthur Fellowship

Books & works: The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir, Exoplanets (Space Science Series)

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