Great Heroes and Discoveries of Astronomy Season 1 Episode 22 The Heroic Hunt for Extrasolar Planets

Great Heroes and Discoveries of Astronomy season 1 episode 22 titled "The Heroic Hunt for Extrasolar Planets" sheds light on the heroic efforts of astronomers who help us learn more about the universe beyond our solar system. The episode deals with the continuing attempts to find planets that orbit stars other than our Sun.

The episode starts with a quick recap of what we know so far about finding exoplanets and the methods that astronomers have used to detect them. The first exoplanet was discovered in 1995, and since then, there have been over 4,000 confirmed exoplanets. This has led to an exciting new field of astronomy as we learn about the possibilities of life beyond our planet.

The hunt for exoplanets is not without its challenges. In the past, astronomers have relied on several methods to detect exoplanets, but each method has its limitations. For example, the radial velocity method is the most successful so far, but it can only detect massive planets that are much bigger than Earth. Astronomers have also used the transit method, which involves measuring the dimming of starlight when a planet passes in front of its host star, but this method is limited in that it works best for planets that orbit close to their stars.

Despite these challenges, astronomers remain optimistic. The episode goes on to delve into some of the new techniques and tools being developed to detect exoplanets. One of the most promising techniques involves the use of powerful telescopes in space, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, which is set to launch in 2021. The new telescope will be much more sensitive than any other telescope before it and will be able to detect even small, rocky planets that are similar in size and mass to Earth.

The episode also covers some of the latest discoveries in the field, such as the recent discovery of a rocky planet called Ross 128 b that orbits a red dwarf star just 11 light-years away from us. This is exciting news since red dwarfs are the most common type of star in our galaxy, and Ross 128 b is close enough that we will be able to study its atmosphere in more detail in the future.

The episode also discusses the importance of finding exoplanets that are similar to Earth. Astronomers are searching for planets that are in the habitable zone, the region around a star where temperatures are just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. If they find such a planet, it could be a sign that life exists beyond Earth.

The episode concludes by highlighting the heroic efforts of astronomers who are devoted to discovering new exoplanets. Their determination and perseverance have led to groundbreaking discoveries that have expanded our knowledge of the universe and our place in it.

In summary, "The Heroic Hunt for Extrasolar Planets" is an informative and fascinating episode that showcases the efforts of astronomers to find exoplanets and understand the possibilities of life beyond Earth. The episode highlights the challenges and limitations of current methods, as well as the promise of new technologies and techniques. Overall, it is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of astronomers who are committed to expanding our knowledge of the universe.