Are we alone? Is alien life more than just a hope or fear? Are aliens less science fiction and more non-fiction? You can ask your questions directly to those who are searching the cosmos for signs of alien life during a live Kavli Foundation Google+ Hangout.
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), described as a "consortium of global institutions that operate astronomical observatories" in a Kavli press release, lead the unveiling of a "supersized Hubble Space Telescope," which is now in the concept stages.
"When we imagine the landscape of astronomy in the decade of 2030, we realize it is at last within our grasp to make a monumental discovery that will change mankind forever. We hope to learn whether or not we are alone in the universe," said AURA President Matt Mountain in an AURA press release.
The new space telescope, the High Definition Space Telescope (HDST), would have 100 times the capability to detect faint starlight than the Hubble. The proposal suggests the HDST would even surpass the "next generation space telescope," the James Webb Space Telescope.
"With a mirror 25 times the size of Hubble's, HDST could delve deep into the universe's past to trace how gases enriched with the elemental ingredients of life moved in and out of galaxies," according to the Kavli press release. "Closer to home, HDST could examine dozens of Earth-like exoplanets that are too tiny for Hubble and its immediate successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, to see. HDST would scour their atmospheres for signs of alien life, perhaps finally answering whether or not we are alone in the cosmos."
The HDST is slated to launch in the 2030s, but you can ask about it on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 11:00-11:30 a.m. PDT (2:00-2:30 p.m. EDT; 18:00-18:30 UTC). Send an email to info@kavlifoundation.org before Oct. 6 or ask during the live Hangout by sending a message via Twitter using the hashtag #KavliLive.
Participants: Sara Seager of the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research at MIT, Julianne Dalcanton of the University of Washington and committee member Marc Postman of the Space Telescope Science Institute. These scientists will answer questions about how HDST will trace cosmic evolution, from the primeval rise of chemical elements necessary for life to possible alien life right in our cosmic backyard, plus how to build such a powerful instrument.
About the Participants:
Seager is a professor of physics and planetary science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated faculty at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research and co-chair of the HDST study. Her research specialty is exoplanet atmospheres and interiors.
Dalconton is a professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington and the other co-chair of the HDST study. Her research focuses on the origin and evolution of galaxies.
Postman is an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and served on the committee for the HDST report. His research interests include galaxy cluster and large-scale cosmic structure evolution and formation, along with large space telescope design and implementation.
