Lisa Kaltenegger
Carl Sagan Institute, Cornell University, NY, USA

Abstract
The more than 5,000 known extrasolar planets show the diversity of planets that exist in the cosmos. We can already gleam patterns in the planets we have already found. Observation techniques have already reached the sensitivity to explore the chemical composition of the atmospheres of some hot exoplanets. With the successful launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, we will be able to glimpse into the atmosphere of rocky planets and potentially habitable worlds orbiting other stars, starting this summer.
But finding life in the cosmos will be a huge challenge. Earth provides our key for this exploration: its evolution through time and its diverse biota give us clues as to what to search for. The spectra of planets are our window to explore potential habitable worlds lightyears away. In this talk, I will present the newest results in our search, how to use the online databases of high-resolution spectra of Earth-like planets as a tool to characterize these new worlds, and discuss the challenges and opportunities - on the path to finding out whether or not we are alone in the cosmos.

2022 March 22, 10:00

IA/U.Porto
Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (Auditorium)
Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto