Afternoon Astronomy Coffee Hangout 10 May

"A Search for Planet Nine — So, Where Is It?"

What is "Planet Nine?" How can it be found? Scientists are searching for this elusive body in our solar system using all the data they can find and obtain with observatories, including those in space. It is speculated that this planet orbits the Sun very far out in the solar system, at hundreds of times the distance from the Earth to the Sun (one astronomical unit). It could be that the planet shines on its own in the infrared, making it perfect for the Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WISE) satellite. A clever methodology by scientists is aimed to detect very faint moving objects. What is the result?

Join regular hosts Tony Darnell and Carol Christian during Afternoon Astronomy Coffee on Thursday, 10 May, at 3:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time as they discuss with Aaron Meisner (University of California, Berkeley), Ben Bromley (The University of Utah), and Scott Kenyon (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory) their deep search for Planet Nine and what they found.

• The Afternoon Astronomy Coffee series may be found on the Deep Astronomy website.
• The link for the latest Afternoon Astronomy Coffee will be announced on the Deep Astronomy Facebook page.

During the hangout, you can take part in the live chat and join the conversation on Twitter with #AstroCoffee. An archive of previous hangouts in this series may be found in the Deep Astronomy YouTube playlist.

What Are "Afternoon Astronomy Coffee" and "Future in Space" Hangouts?

"Future In Space” and "Afternoon Astronomy Coffee" Hangouts are part of a weekly series, held every Thursday, that also includes a segment called "Footsteps to Mars." We bring the the latest research in astronomy, highlights from the future of space astronomy and astronautics planning, as well as updates on the exploration of Mars to you every week via Hangouts on Air. With the sponsorship of both the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the American Astronautical Society (the other AAS), our hosts Tony Darnell, Carol Christian, Alberto Conti, and Harley Thronson examine today's breakthroughs in research and peer into the unfolding possibilities of what we may learn about the universe and Mars exploration. We join with members of the American Astronomical Society to chat, in an informal online setting modeled after "science coffee" events held in universities and research organizations across the country. We will examine what we hope to learn about exoplanets, black holes, the early universe, quasars, and life in the universe along with what technologies might help us — and reflect upon the scientific endeavors occurring today that uncover amazing astrophysics and lay the groundwork for studies to come.

We will also explore the technology and engineering used today as well as possibilities for future space travel and research with members of both societies, and probe what our future in space may look like and how we might get there. We will examine the underlying technologies of space telescopes, orbiters, landers, and human space vehicles now and in the years to come. We will delve into topics that help us understand the possibilities and limitations of human space flight and eventual human colonization of other worlds.

We hope you can join us each month as we bring experts from both societies — people who think about and plan for our future in space — to your computer, tablet, or smartphone. We invite you to bring your questions and comments and get ready to learn about the amazing possibilities for the future of space astronomy and exploration.