Meet the Expert: Dr. Ryan MacDonald, theoretical physicist
Dr. Ryan MacDonald is a theoretical astrophysicist researching exoplanet atmospheres at Cornell University’s Carl Sagan Institute. He develops techniques to characterize the atmospheres of these distant worlds using ground and space-based telescopes.
Dr. MacDonald is currently working on modeling exoplanet atmospheres in preparation for the launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in late 2021.
He completed a PhD in Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, England, in 2019. His PhD research focused on deriving the chemical composition, temperature structure, and cloud properties of exoplanets – ranging from inferno gas giants to Neptune-mass worlds. These same techniques will soon enable astronomers to look for signs of life on habitable zone rocky planets.
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Challenge:
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Highlighted book for this episode!
Beyond: Discoveries from the Outer Reaches of Space
by Miranda Paul (Author), Sija Hong (Illustrator)
Book List:
How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco
The Hubble Space Telescope: Our Eye on the Universe by Terence Dickinson and Tracy Read
Exoplanets by Seymour Simon
Exploring Exoplanets by Deborah Kops
