Sam Miller
The SaddleBrooke Skygazers Astronomy Club is pleased to host Dr. Thomas Beatty, a faculty member of the University of Arizona Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, on Sunday, Nov. 14 at the DesertView Theater, located at 39900 S Clubhouse Dr. at 7 p.m. Dr. Beatty will discuss the devices and methods he uses in his research to identify exoplanets and Earth-like habitable planets. His presentation includes how we learn about their atmospheres and weather, and what that tells us about the possibility of life on those planets, evidence of life, and even technology.
Dr. Beatty received his Ph.D. in 2014 from Ohio State University. His research focuses on observational studies of exoplanets, from first detection through to characterization of their atmospheres and climates. He is an expert in using near-infrared telescopes on the ground and in space to make super precise measurements of the light from exoplanets and their atmospheres. On the ground, Dr. Beatty primarily uses the Large Binocular Telescope and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, and in space he uses the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes (and James Webb Space Telescope in the future). The goal of his research is to use these measurements to better understand the cloud properties, composition, and formation histories of giant exoplanets, and to work towards the eventual characterization of the atmospheres and climates of smaller planets that might host life.
The SaddleBrooke Skygazers Astronomy Club meets monthly (typically) on the second Sunday evening at 7 p.m. in the DesertView Theater. The next Star Parties are on Wednesday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 27 at the softball field parking lot from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome to both. Club and Star Party information can be obtained by emailing Sam Miller at [email protected].