Title: Habitability on a Galactic Scale: The Theory of where to look for Life
Speaker: Jessica Schonhut-Stasik (Vanderbilt)
Abstract:
Astronomers searching for life beyond our solar system find themselves at a unique intersection. We know that many other planets exist and that some may be habitable; however, while we have become experts at detecting exoplanets,
characterizing them remains very difficult. With more planet-finding missions launching and more data coming back than we can analyze, perhaps it is time to ask whether there are realistic temporal and spatial parameter spaces for the Milky Way that are key in the search for habitability. In this talk, Dr. Schonhut-Stask will discuss her latest work on the spatial and temporal evolution of Mg/Si in the Milky Way, which suggests a complex interplay among stellar age, position, and motion in its formation. Mg/Si is a key component in the formation of plate tectonics on rocky planets, one of the many factors enabling complex life to emerge. Join us to discover how Milky Way Mg/Si varies
across space and time, and how this could influence not just where habitable planets evolve, but when.