Last week, we were fortunate to have Nikki Miller, a Masters student at Warwick University come to speak to us about her ongoing research on x-rays and exoplanets. We learned about the different ways that exoplanets, or extra-solar (outside our solar system) planets, are detected, and the problems that arise when detecting them: we are usually blind to them because the light from the host star is too bright to be able to see the planets it may have. There are however several methods including transits and photometry used to detect these exoplanets, and look for the planets which may be able to harbour life. We found out that, much to our surprise and awe, that planets can evaporate! Due to planets which are very close to the star being hit with high levels of ultraviolet radiation and X-rays, the atmospheres of the planet start to evaporate away. No need to say that this has a huge effect on the planets. However, as researches study the planets, there are many things that they cannot understand. By (indirectly) observing the planets, we can work out the rate at which they are loosing their mass. However, when we see the bigger picture, the said cluster of stars in which this planet resides in very old. So the question is why are the planets still there? By calculation they should have been completely evaporated many many thousands of years ago. There are several explanations for this: perhaps the planet was further away from the star in the past, or maybe the star is emitting more X-rays today than it did before. Needless to say, the talk was very much enjoyed by all who attended. Nikki Miller even told us about life as a university student, and her interest and proficiency in Astro-photography. Many thanks to all who attended the session.
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AuthorOur blogs are written by the girls that attend this society. Archives
June 2020
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