Astrobiology: Life in the Universe

NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)


  1. Seminar Detail

    Getting to the Core of Exoplanets: From Gas to Ice Giants

    Getting to the Core of Exoplanets: From Gas to Ice Giants

    Presenter: Geoff Marcy ()

    December 3, 2007 11:00 AM Pacific

    The measured masses and orbits of the 200 secure exoplanets within 200 pc reveal the processes of formation and subsequent dynamics. Several planets reveal information on their cores and interiors.
    Multiple-planet systems, especially those in resonances, inform us about migration, scattering, and capture. Planets from 5-14 Earth masses are now detectable, and several have been found.
    The Kepler Mission and a new 2.4-m "Automated Planet Finder"
    telescope at Lick Observatory portend the detection of rocky planets.

    Participation Instructions

    With a Polycom....RSVP to Marco Boldt (Marco.Boldt@nasa.gov) and connect to WebEx as instructed below. If you need Polycom help during the live event, message Marco Boldt in WebEx.

    The slides from the seminar can be accessed real-time using WebEx at:

    https://nasa.webex.com

    Enter the meeting number: 922 576 822 Hit the "join now" button.

    Enter your name or site name (this is not an assigned log-in name, please use your institution name or your first and last name), email and the password: marcy123* (case sensitive)

    If you've never joined a WebEx meeting before, please allow an extra 5-10 minutes to install the plug-in.

    Without a Polycom...There are two ways to participate:

    1) You can listen to the seminar on the telephone while viewing the slides in WebEx (see WebEx instructions above). The NASA conference phone number will be displayed when joining the WebEx meeting.

    2) You can watch the Realplayer webcast at: http://vanseg-1.arc.nasa.gov/2007/AB071203-01.ram and view the slides in WebEx (see WebEx instructions above) There is a 30 second delay for the webcast, so you will need to control the slides manually using the arrow buttons in WebEx. Questions for the speaker can be posted in the WebEx chat area to be answered at the end of the talk. Do not try to watch the Realplayer webcast at the same time as the Polycom or the phone.


    Click here to view Podcast

Team Overview Seminars: Each of the NAI teams will be giving one hour overview seminars that describe the work they will be performing as members of the NAI. These seminars, which will be broadcast via videoconference and web, will provide an opportunity to find out more about the science, EPO and other activities being performed by the NAI teams.

The Director’s Seminar series features talks from scientists who are invited by the NAI Director to present their research results to the community. A primary goal of the seminars is to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across NAI teams and within the astrobiology community at large. These seminars are open to all, including the general public; however, the target audience is researchers and students who are engaged in astrobiology. While the seminars are technical in nature, speakers are encouraged to develop presentations that can be understood by colleagues from a variety of disciplines across the field. The talks are typically 50 minutes long, with time at the end for questions and discussion.

The Forum for Astrobiology Research (FAR) seminar provides an opportunity for graduate students to present their research results, and to meet as a student community for mutual encouragement and support. FAR science presentations are typically 20-30 minutes each, with several students presenting during one virtual event. On occasion, the FAR seminar will be devoted to group discussion and planning activities.

The University of Washington seminar series is hosted by the NAI VPL team from their campus in Seattle. NAI provides technical support for the seminar series and produces podcasts of the presentations. The talks are typically 50 minutes long, with time at the end for questions and discussion.

Other virtual seminars, such as workshops and summer student presentations, are hosted by NAI. These are typically scheduled as needed and vary in length, content, and target audience.