The Search for ExoPlanets Intensifies

NASA has announced the new Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exoplanet Exploration, which will provide students the chance to step out in to a brand new field of scientific exploration.

Over the past few years we have seen over 300 reports of exoplanets, planets beyond our own solar system, being discovered. Various methods have been used to discover these exotic objects, and further research is underway to determine their life-bearing potential.

Not surprisingly, given his early imaginings of such worlds, and the work he did to inspire people to learn more about science, the Exoplanet Exploration was named in honor of Carl Sagan.

Born in 1934, Carl Sagan was an astronomer, astrochemist, author, and played a large role in popularizing astronomy, astrophysics and other natural sciences. Among his most notable achievements was his pioneering of exobiology and promoting the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, also known as SETI.

The new fellowships will award approximately $60,000 per year, for a period of up to three years, to selected postdoctoral scientists. Among the disciplines available to study are refining techniques for detecting planets in the glare of their host sun, and searching for the crucial ingredients of line on the planets that are found.

"NASA's science-driven mission portfolio, its cultivation of young talent to pursue cutting-edge research, and the decision to commit its genius to a question of transcendent cultural significance, would have thrilled Carl," said Ann Druyan, Sagan's widow and collaborator, who continues to write and produce. "That this knowledge will be pursued in his name, as he joins a triumvirate of the leading lights of 20th century astronomy, is a source of infinite pride to our family," said Druyan. "It signifies that Carl's passion to engage us all in the scientific experience, his daring curiosity and urgent concern for life on this planet, no longer eclipse his scientific achievements."

But this is not the first theme-based program that NASA is backing. The Sagan Fellowship will join NASA’s new Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physics of the Cosmos and the Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cosmic Origins.

"We are investing in our nation's best and brightest in an emerging field that is tremendously inspiring to the public," said Jon Morse, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Posted by Josh Hill. Image copyright, Kallio 2006

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/sagan-20080903.html