Date: Monday 01-Feb-2021
Time: 11:15-12:15
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Laura Mayorga (JHU/APL)
Title: The Jupiter System: An Exoplanet Testbed
The Universe has shown it is capable of creating some truly alien planetary systems which will remain as simple specks of light next to their comparatively bright and blazing host stars. However, unlike our observations of the storms and clouds on Solar System planets, atmospheric or surface features remain unresolved on exoplanets as the light we detect is a hemispherical average. Thus, observations of planetary bodies in our Solar System with exoplanet-like observational methods are the only way we can understand how unresolved features manifest in exoplanet observations. With future direct imaging missions, we can finally image planets separate from their host stars as we have in the Solar System for centuries. However, exoplanets will be typically observed at partial illumination angles and from non-equatorial perspectives, which is an unusual Solar System perspective. I’ll present observations of Jupiter and the Galilean satellites as exoplanet analogs and discuss future avenues for providing the benchmark data needed to place exoplanets in Solar System context.
For further information contact PALS coordinator Dr. Lori Feaga at feaga@astro.umd.edu or (301)-405-1383.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
