When the Stars Align: The Quest to Learn How, Why, and Where Planets Form

Speaker: Emma Louden

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to design your own planetary system? Which planets would you create, where would you place them, and how would they interact? Over the past three decades, astronomers have discovered over 6,000 exoplanets in approximately 500 planetary systems, revealing a cosmos filled with worlds vastly different from our own Solar System. Join astrophysicist Emma Louden as she delves into the fascinating processes of how, why, and where planets form outside our solar system. This presentation explores the surprising diversity of these exoplanets, discusses Earth's unique characteristics, and speculates on the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. Discover the latest insights into planet formation and consider what these otherworldly systems tell us about our place in the cosmos.

In-person or online via Zoom through advance registration | Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 6pm MST