[Baps] Exoplanet seminar at BU on Tuesday 20th

[Paul Withers]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [Announce] IAR seminar Tuesday
From:    "Kimberly Paci" <kpaci at bu.edu>
Date:    Thu, October 15, 2009 10:05 am
To:      announce at bu-ast.bu.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Institute for Astrophysical Research presents:


Joshua Winn (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

"Exoplanets and their Odd Orbital Orientations"

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

4pm, Room 502

725 Commonwealth Ave.

Coffee at 3:45



ABSTRACT:

In the Solar system, the planets follow orbits that are aligned with
the Sun's equatorial plane to within about 7 degrees.  What about
planets around other stars?  Recently we have measured the orbital
orientations (relative to their parent stars' equators) of more than a
dozen different exoplanets, using a technique first theorized in the
19th century.  Many systems have good alignment, as in the Solar
system -- but there are a few surprises. I will discuss these results
and their implications for theories of planet formation and migration.