7-7-05
Penn State Behrend Open House Night in Astronomy describes newly discovered planet
Darren Williams, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Penn State Behrend, will report on a newly discovered planet named Gliese 876 d at a summer Open House Night in Astronomy scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Gliese 876 d has a mass approximately six times Earth and is almost certainly made of rock. Its tiny orbit carries it around its star once every two days and warms the surface to a temperature of about 200 degrees centigrade, making it more like Venus than Earth. Gliese 876 d is the smallest planet known to orbit a Sun-like star and has raised interest in finding life beyond the Sun.
In his presentation, Williams will report on what is known about Gliese 876 d and briefly outline the methods used by astronomers to find planets around nearby stars.
Williams' lecture, which is free and open to the public, is suitable for a non-technical audience. Astronomical observing at the Mehalso Observatory will follow the lecture, weather permitting. For more information call the School of Science at x6105.