How do we know what the atmosphere is made of on a planet many light years away?
In this talk, astrobiologist Megan Gialluca will share how astronomers are using the James Webb Space Telescope to observe the atmospheres of distant planets, and what to look for in the search for life in the universe. In particular, Gialluca will highlight the exciting TRAPPIST-1 system, home to seven Earth-sized exoplanets.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
This event is FREE for Museum Members and included with Museum admission.
About the Speaker:
Megan Gialluca is a PhD candidate at the University of Washington studying astronomy and astrobiology. She is an expert on the TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet system and specifically focused her research on modeling the atmospheres and interpreting observations of the planets. She is especially focused on the evolution of water on the planets, as a key habitability indicator for life as we know it. Gialluca loves sharing research with the public and has led several outreach initiatives, including Astronomy on Tap Seattle.
