Physics & Astronomy Katherine Follette - Stanford University

"The Birds and the Bees - Exoplanet Edition: How Planets are Made"

How do we find planets around other stars? What do these discoveries tell us about the physics of planet formation? In this talk, I will discuss the fast-growing field of exoplanet astrophysics. I will begin with a brief introduction to the field in general, including the revolutionary techniques that in recent years have enabled discoveries of planetary systems very unlike our own. I will then discuss how my subfield of "exoplanet direct imaging" fits into the larger picture and how my work, including the discovery of the first actively-forming planet, helps to address several important open questions.  I will conclude by discussing the current direction of the field, including specific research opportunities for Amherst undergraduates.