"Earth-size Exoplanets"

 

 

 

Earth-size exoplanets and their slightly larger ‘super-Earth’ cousins are the most abundant planets orbiting close to stars like the Sun.  These planets have diverse physical compositions, unusual atmospheres, and poorly understood origins.  My talk will trace the discovery and early characterization of these small worlds and highlight near- and long-term opportunities including NASA’s TESS mission and an instrument at Keck Observatory called SHREK.