The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know
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The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know
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Narrated by:
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Professor Joshua N. Winn
About this listen
As recently as 1990, it seemed plausible that the solar system was a unique phenomenon in our galaxy. Thanks to advances in technology and clever new uses of existing data, now we know that planetary systems and possibly even a new Earth can be found throughout galaxies near and far.
We are living during a new golden age of planetary discovery, with the prospect of finding many worlds like Earth. Most of the thousands of planets we've detected can't be imaged directly, but researchers are able to use subtle clues obtained in ingenious ways to assemble an astonishing picture of planetary systems far different from our own. We are in the midst of an astronomical revolution, comparable to the Copernican revolution that established our current view of the solar system - and we invite you to take part.
Embark on this unrivaled adventure in 24 lectures by a veteran planet hunter. Designed for everyone from armchair explorers to serious skywatchers, The Search for Exoplanets follows the numerous twists and turns in the hunt for exoplanets - the false starts, the sudden breakthroughs, and the extraordinary discoveries. Explore systems containing super-Earths, mini-Neptunes, lava worlds, and even stranger worlds. You also get behind-the-scenes information on the techniques astronomers used to find evidence of planets at mind-boggling distances from our home base. Learn how astronomers determine how many planets are in a system as well as how large they are and the characteristics of their atmospheres. You will feel like Dr. Watson in the presence of Sherlock Holmes as Professor Winn extracts a wealth of information from a spectrum, a light graph, a diffraction pattern, and other subtle clues.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2015 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2015 The Great CoursesListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M
- 21-03-17
Fascinating introduction to the subject
Prof Joshua Winn has obvious passion for his field of the study of exoplanets, that is planets that exist outside of our solar system. It has always fascinated me how these science guys know so much about these distant worlds. I can now say, thanks to Prof Winn, I have a good overall understanding and I look forward to discovering my own exoplanets!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 02-01-16
Outstanding and up to date (2015) overview
Any additional comments?
I find exoplanets fascinating and it is changing so fast that it's great to hear the latest as well as getting all the history.
One thing that doesn't quite work is having the formulas laboriously spelt out in the audio version. Didn't really need them.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-10-22
How to find them, difficulties, and what we know
Excellent overview of exoplanets and the techniques used to find them. Explores challenges and what each method can tell us about the planets found. E.g. how come we know so many exoplanets really far away, when those close by presumably are easier to find?
Great introduction for beginners while still going into quite some detail, all while managing to remain interesting and exciting.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rufus
- 25-05-16
A great listen!
Really loved this Great Courses audiobook and Professor Winn has a wonderful voice for imparting information. A nice mix of general and more technical language and quite comprehensive. Nice sounding audio which ain’t always the case.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- elliottm79
- 29-12-19
Wonderful friendly and passionate lecturer
Absolutely wonderful to listen to. Nothing was too complicated to comprehend even if I had to repeat few segments back and forth to fully register those. Highly recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Solomon Roller
- 06-10-18
Great book if your like science.
Very interesting point of view. Great explanation of the exoplanet and how urgent it's becoming to search for them.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Diwotti
- 10-05-16
A wonderful listen. Highly recommended!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know to be better than the print version?
I'm just an ordinary chap with an interest in many subjects including astronomy. I found this audible book very informative and even very exciting in places. Professor Winn explains everything with clarity and enthusiasm. I will, in the near future, revisit this audible book and listen to it again. Highly recommended!
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Michael McDaid
- 05-12-15
Coming to a planet near you
This was a well structured romp through the very topical and exciting field of extra solar planetary science by a research scientist working in the field. As such it was highly informative, detailed and broad ranging, covering the historical background and recent (at the time of presentation) developments in this fast changing area. Pretty much everything you need to know to follow current and future discoveries is here.
The course does not require extensive prior knowledge or higher mathematics, but neither does it try to oversimplify...it attains a kind of intellectual Goldilocks level of comfort! The performance as also excellent making this a real gem of a course for those interested in the subject matter. Strongly recommended!
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- polestar
- 20-03-17
Cosmic!
Detailed yet accessible account of a mind blowing story of exploration and discovery perfectly narrated.When I finished the book I started to listen to it all again just for the pleasure of it;such a good listen!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 03-09-20
Drones on
What should be an exciting captivating piece is ruined by the boring monotone voice. Buy if you’re an insomniac
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