Welcome

Please join us at the Centre for Exoplanets and Habitability to listen to Dr Raphaëlle Haywood talk about our planet from an astronomical and geological perspective.

How to Attend

Due to COVID-19, we are limited to 50 in-person attendees. Therefore, if you would like to attend the venue in-person, please make sure you register here.

The seminar can also be viewed online via Microsoft Teams accessible here.

If you would like to attend the CEH Brainstorms session, please fill out this attached form.

Abstract

Recent revolutionary discoveries in astronomy are showing that Earth is one of billions of planets, and that terrestrial, temperate planets are commonplace in our galaxy. Geological records indicate that Earth has been many different worlds over time, and life has shown extraordinary resilience through these planetary changes. If we could go to the stars and point our telescopes back at Earth, what would we see? How does life alter Earth's astronomical character? We will look at one of Earth's defining ecosystems: the Amazon rainforest, which is observable from cosmic distances. We will reflect on the impact of various human civilisations. Ultimately, we will draw on these astronomical and geological perspectives to demonstrate that humanity's flourishing is profoundly tied to maintaining this world, here, that we co-evolved with.

When?

3pm, Friday 12th November 2021

 

Where?

OC1.05, The Oculus

 

Who?

Everyone is welcome!

 

 

Personal Bio of Dr Raphaëlle D. Haywood

Dr Raphaëlle D. Haywood is an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Exeter who hunts for planets that orbit other stars - exoplanets. Her research focuses on understanding the natural variability of planet-hosting stars to better characterise the planets around them. She recently advised NASA and the US National Science Foundation on designing a roadmap to discover Earth-like planets over the next decade. Dr Haywood is passionate about addressing social and environmental issues and is using astronomical observations to inspire people to action. Before joining Exeter, Dr Haywood was a NASA Sagan Fellow at Harvard University. Dr Haywood holds a Masters in Physics from Imperial College London, a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of St Andrews, and a Certificate in Sustainability from the Harvard Extension School.