Tales From the Outer Solar System

Dr. Mike Brown, Professor of Planetary Astronomy, California Institute of Technology

The past decade has seen an explosion in the discoveries of Pluto-sized and near Pluto-sized bodies in the outer Solar System, giving rise to a new classification of "dwarf planets." Like Pluto, each of these objects has a unique story to tell about the history and evolution of the Solar System. Dr. Brown will discuss the discoveries of these objects and the new views of giant collisions, stellar encounters, and planetary rearrangement that we are gaining from their study. Finally, he will show intriguing new evidence that there is an even larger object lurking far beyond these dwarf planets. This object, if we can find it, will finally silence the lingering questions about Pluto and planethood: if we can find it, this object will be the new rightful ninth planet.

Lecture is approximately one hour long, and question-and-answer period may vary in length.