Physics Program and Dean of the College Present
Deciphering Alien Atmospheres with Computational Chemistry
Friday, November 30, 2018
Hegeman 107
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST/GMT-5
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST/GMT-5
Clara Sousa-Silva, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
At the edge of our present scientific frontier lies the question: “Can we identify the signs of life on an exoplanet?”. Establishing whether a planet is habitable, or inhabited, relies both on the observation of an exoplanet atmosphere and, crucially, its subsequent interpretation. This interpretation requires knowledge of the spectral behavior of every significant atmospheric molecule. However, though thousands of molecular candidates can contribute towards the spectrum of an atmosphere, data exist for only a few hundred gases. Among these, only a fraction have complete spectra (e.g. ammonia, water). This deep incompleteness in the knowledge of molecular spectra presents a pressing vulnerability in the atmospheric study of planets; there exists a strong possibility of mis-assignment, false positives, and false negatives in molecular detections.My research program combines structural organic chemistry and quantum mechanics to create the necessary tools for the interpretation of astrophysical spectra and, ultimately, the detection of life on an exoplanet. Whether alien life will produce familiar gases (e.g. oxygen) or exotic biosignatures, painting a confident picture of a potential biosphere will require a holistic interpretation of an atmosphere and its molecules. I will describe the ongoing efforts to decipher exoplanet atmospheres through the identification of volatile molecules, in particular those that might be produced by non-Earth-like life on exoplanets.
For more information, call 845-752-7302, or e-mail [email protected].
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST/GMT-5
Location: Hegeman 107