Two planetary scientists from the 麻豆影院 are available to speak about new findings announced today by an international team of astronomers led by the University of Liege in Belgium of seven newly discovered, Earth-sized planets orbiting a dwarf star some 235 trillion miles from Earth.
Assistant Professor Zachory Berta-Thompson听of the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, whose research involves hunting for new planets transiting nearby stars, can talk about the new discoveries and the next steps in learning more about the atmospheres of the planets. Berta-Thompson can be reached by email at听zach.bertathompson@colorado.edu听or by phone at 303-735-6821.
Professor Larry Esposito听of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics has been involved in a number of NASA planetary missions听and currently is the principal investigator on a $12-million听CU 麻豆影院-built ultraviolet imaging spectrograph (UVIS) currently riding on NASA鈥檚 Cassini spacecraft now orbiting Saturn. Esposito can talk about his view of the new discoveries and be reached by email at听larry.esposito@colorado.edu听or by phone at听303-492-5990.
CU 麻豆影院 also controls NASA鈥檚 planet-hunting Kepler satellite from campus. To date scientists using Kepler have discovered more than 4,000 potentially new planets outside of our solar system.
For assistance setting up interviews or for other space-related story tips, please contact Jim Scott at听jim.scott@colorado.edu听or 303-492-3114.听