UofT AstroTour: Planet 9 From Outer Space?!
In January of 2016, astronomers presented evidence that a giant planet may be lurking far beyond Neptune, quietly waiting to be found. If it exists, ‘Planet 9’ would be the first solar system planet to be discovered in over 170 years, with all due respect to the fallen Pluto. In this talk, we’ll examine the case for Planet 9, learn about the latest efforts to detect it and figure out if it is going to kill us all. Hint: no.
About the Speaker
Having completed degrees in Jazz guitar and astrophysics, Dr. Matt Russo is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics and sessional lecturer at UofT Scarborough Campus. His research focuses on the inner workings of the disks of dust and gas from which planetary systems are born. In his not-so-secret other life he plays guitar in an award-winning live hip hop band.
The U of T Astronomy Public Tour, or AstroTour, is a monthly event operated by the graduate students of the U of T Astronomy Department. The Tour features a public lecture by a member of the Department on topics ranging from their research to great moments in astronomical history. Following the lecture, tour-goers can peer at the night sky through the Department’s balcony and dome telescopes, or watch a planetarium show run live by astronomer. Admission to the tour is free. Seating for the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis (doors open ten minutes before the start of the lecture), and the telescope observing is walk-in.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Free
Reservations: Only required for Planetarium Shows
Organized by: Graduate Astronomy Students Association. The AstroTours are generously financed by the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Location: University of Toronto, McLennan Physical Laboratories (MP 103), 60 St George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A7