The Glow of Distant Worlds

Everything glows. Everything emits light. Stars and light bulbs emit visible light we can see with our eyes; planets and people emit infrared light that can be felt as heat or seen with infrared cameras. In this talk, we will explore how astronomers use infrared light and the new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe planets orbiting other stars. These “exoplanets” are so distant they will never appear as anything more than mere flickering points of light in the sky. Yet, by carefully observing exoplanets’ thermal infrared glow, we can determine whether they have atmospheres, what those atmospheres are made of, and what their climate is like. From the blazing fires of gas giants orbiting just above their stars to the tenuous atmospheres of rocky planets, we will tour a Universe of weird worlds now being observed by JWST. Looking back at our own precious planet, we will explain how infrared light governs the delicate energy balance that lets us live on Earth. Looking out into the future, we will touch on how astronomers plan to use light to search for alien life on habitable exoplanets outside the Solar System in the decades to come.Everything glows. Everything emits light. Stars and light bulbs emit visible light we can see with our eyes; planets and people emit infrared light that can be felt as heat or seen with infrared cameras. In this talk, we will explore how astronomers use infrared light and the new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe planets orbiting other stars. These “exoplanets” are so distant they will never appear as anything more than mere flickering points of light in the sky. Yet, by carefully observing exoplanets’ thermal infrared glow, we can determine whether they have atmospheres, what those atmospheres are made of, and what their climate is like. From the blazing fires of gas giants orbiting just above their stars to the tenuous atmospheres of rocky planets, we will tour a Universe of weird worlds now being observed by JWST. Looking back at our own precious planet, we will explain how infrared light governs the delicate energy balance that lets us live on Earth. Looking out into the future, we will touch on how astronomers plan to use light to search for alien life on habitable exoplanets outside the Solar System in the decades to come.

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This winter, we will host our public physics talks in Flug Forum at Aspen Center for Physics. Join us starting at 5:00pm for tea and cookies before each talk. The talks will begin at 5:30pm sharp. There is free parking at the Center and in the neighborhood. We also recommend taking the Downtowner or the free RFTA Crosstown Shuttle.

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Please note that seating is first come, first served. We encourage you to arrive early at 5pm for tea and cookies before the lecture. Empty seats will be released at 5:20pm.

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