Envisioning Exoplanets: Discovering, Exploring and Understanding Alien Worlds in the Cosmos

This talk traces the journey of astronomers on one of the greatest quest to explore the universe for exoplanets – worlds beyond our solar system. More than 5000 confirmed exoplanets have been discovered in the past two decades, posing countless possibilities to look for an Earth-like world in the habitable zone. This is the story of the pioneers in planet hunting and how those who have followed are now poised to answer one of humanity’s most ancient questions, is their life elsewhere in the universe?

About the speaker

Irfan Saeed has been an Observational Astrophysicist. His research interests focus on utilizing NASA’s TESS and JWST data to discover and characterize transiting exoplanets and their atmospheres. He had graduated in BS Space Science from IST in 2016 and worked as distant collaborative researcher with Tarleton State University. Also attended International School for Young Astronomers (ISYA) on Stars and Exoplanets organized by International Astronomical Union (IAU), Yunnan Astronomical Observatories (YAO) and Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS). He is the first and only Pakistani till date to discover three exoplanets.