For more than a century, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona has been at the forefront of astronomical discovery. Founded in 1894, this independent non-profit research institution has a storied history of uncovering the secrets of our universe. 365bet体育在线世界杯, it continues to lead the way in groundbreaking research.
Are We Alone?
Perhaps one of the most profound questions humanity has ever asked is, 鈥淎re we alone in the universe?鈥� At Lowell, a team of dedicated astronomers is working tirelessly to answer that very question. Spearheading this effort is astronomer Dr. Joe Llama, who specializes in the study of distant planetary systems that hold the potential for habitability -- either by human pioneers, or by lifeforms that we鈥檝e yet to encounter.
The Power of High-Resolution Spectroscopy
Using advanced techniques like high-resolution spectroscopy, Dr. Llama detects and analyzes planets orbiting distant stars. He measures tiny shifts in the position of spectral absorption lines around distant stars using the Doppler shift -- a phenomenon you鈥檝e likely experienced as the change in pitch of an emergency vehicle鈥檚 siren as it moves toward or away from you. By precisely tracking these shifts, Dr. Llama can uncover planets, study their formation regions and reveal clues about how solar systems like ours take shape.
Cutting-Edge Instruments: EXPRES and LOST
A key tool in Dr. Llama鈥檚 search for Earth-like exoplanets is the EXtreme PREcision Spectrometer (EXPRES), an instrument on Lowell鈥檚 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT). Built by Yale University, EXPRES measures tiny movements of a star caused by an orbiting planet with an accuracy of just a few tens of centimeters per second -- crucial for detecting Earth-sized planets. Dr. Llama also built and commissioned the Lowell Observatory Solar Telescope (LOST), which sends sunlight into EXPRES during the day to study our Sun using the same techniques applied to distant stars in an effort to understand how stars themselves can hide the signals from tiny planets.
Beyond Earth: TESS and SPARCS
Dr. Llama鈥檚 expertise isn鈥檛 limited to ground-based observations. He is part of the science team for the Star Planet Activity CubeSat (SPARCS), a small satellite (about the size of a shoebox) led by former Lowell astronomer Dr. Evgenya Shkolnik at Arizona State University. SPARCS, set to launch later this year, will gather data from low-mass stars in the ultraviolet (a wavelength that cannot be observed from Earth) to better understand how solar flares impact the potential for habitability for planets around stars of this type.
The Search for Earth 2.0: Looking Ahead
Dr. Llama鈥檚 work with EXPRES, LOST, and SPARCS is refining techniques for detecting Earth-like planets around stars similar to our Sun -- bringing us closer than ever to the possibility of discovering a truly habitable world beyond our own. Future improvements to the instruments themselves, such as a new optical fiber front end for EXPRES that will expand its reach by nearly 100 times, will allow Dr. Llama and his team to broaden their search to stellar populations located tens of thousands of light-years away from Earth. This transformation will include a new optical fiber front end that increases the instrument鈥檚 sensitivity and dramatically broadens its capabilities.
Visit Lowell Observatory
By studying distant planets and their host stars, Dr. Llama and his research team at Lowell Observatory are not only deepening our understanding of the universe, but also bringing us closer to answering that age-old question. Visit Lowell Observatory and discover the wonders of our universe for yourself.
If you would like to contribute to furthering Lowell Observatory’s science, consider joining the efforts with a monetary donation: Leslie Currie, Chief Philanthropy Officer, [email protected].