Fomalhaut exoplanet discovery Q&A with NASA scientist

re: Fomalhaut exoplanet discovery Q&A with NASA scientist

soar2stars — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:09:53 GMT

Thanks Marc and Daniel,

I really feel like a kid on a sugar high who won't stay away from the Milky Way... there i go again, can't get space out of my mind!

There are so many cool spots to explore, how do you chose? How does the BIG BOSSES chose which projects are canned from the start or even started, then left stranded? Can't wait for the next generation of telescopes to become airborne but, already I can see there could be a shortage of time and a little tug-of-war for this equipment... and a shortage of manpower to analyze the data. Do you see the amateur astronomer taking up an important role here like Galaxy Zoo kept thousands of volunteers busy categorizing SDSS data of galaxies? What about the kids? More can be done to show kids how much more awesome real space is compared to their computer games. Who is talking to Obama about more funding for space and space related education? Maybe a couple little girls would like to go to space camp and start doing some astro imaging with robotic telescopes from THE WHITE HOUSE. Now that would be excellent role modeling for other little girls! It is IYA... so not too far-fetched. hmm --Audrey Fischer

re: Fomalhaut exoplanet discovery Q&A with NASA scientist

Daniel Pendick — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:42:20 GMT

Hello Audry! Glad you liked the interview. I asked him about TPF. Here's what he said:

"Right now, TPF exists in the form of a series of "Large Mission Concept

Studies" that NASA HQ has funded to generate ideas for missions to follow JWST [James Webb Space Telescope]. I believe that three of these studies that are considering some kind of TPF-like mission, and working on some of the basic engineering problems. So TPF is still alive, but it's not the focused effort it was a few years ago." -- Best, Marc

re: Fomalhaut exoplanet discovery Q&A with NASA scientist

soar2stars — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:36:53 GMT

Nice interview Daniel. These are exciting times! I think Marc is right, this discovery is the start of an exciting new era. I'm glad we're around for the ride... but it must be a real trip to be in the driver's seat!

Here's a toast to astronomers Marc, Paul Kalas and all their colleagues who use their talents toward these fantastic discoveries and may the JWST and ALMA get off to a healthy start. Welcome Fomalhaut b! ...and only 25 ly away!

What's holding back usage of the TPF? Seems like the right time to give these scientists the reins! --Audrey Fischer