Eclipses in Outer Space
Lauren Weiss Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and astronomy, will explore how astrophysicists use eclipses of other stars to find new planets. Professor Weiss uses observational techniques to discover exoplanets, which are planets around other stars, and characterize their fundamental properties. Her goals are to understand the origin and evolution of planetary systems and assess whether some exoplanets could be habitable. One way to find planets around other stars in the universe is the eclipse transit method. It works for star-planet systems aligned in a way that, as seen from earth, the planet travels between us and the star, temporarily blocking some of the light from the star once every orbit.
Experience the Event
Presented by Department of Physics
Lauren Weiss Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and astronomy, will explore how astrophysicists use eclipses of other stars to find new planets. Professor Weiss uses observational techniques to discover exoplanets, which are planets around other stars, and characterize their fundamental properties. Her goals are to understand the origin and evolution of planetary systems and assess whether some exoplanets could be habitable. One way to find planets around other stars in the universe is the eclipse transit method. It works for star-planet systems aligned in a way that, as seen from earth, the planet travels between us and the star, temporarily blocking some of the light from the star once every orbit.
Meet the Faculty: Lauren Weiss
Lauren Weiss Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Notre Dame. She is also a member of the Astrophysics group. She uses observational techniques to discover planets around other stars (exoplanets) and characterize their fundamental properties, with the goals of understanding the origin and evolution of planetary systems, and assessing exoplanet habitability.