Solar system exploration stands on the verge of a golden age of exploration, with the opportunity to search for signs of life in one or more of the ocean worlds of the Outer Solar System. The discoveries made within the last two decades have demonstrated that there are moons in the outer solar system that very well may be harboring in life and that, perhaps even more importantly, we have the technology, means, and, in some cases, existing plans to explore them using today’s technology. This seminar will review our current understanding and the latest developments in the exploration of the Ocean Worlds Europa, Enceladus, and Titan. Particular emphasis will be placed on Titan, where a hydrocarbon-based hydrologic system has created a landscape with a striking similarity to Earth.

Dr. Alexander G. Hayes is an associate professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University and Director of the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science. Hayes’ research program focuses on planetary surface processes and solar system exploration, with a special interest in the ocean worlds of the outer solar system, Mars, and comets. He also has a background in instrument design and calibration. He is a recipient of the COSPAR Zeldovich Medal, the AGU Ronald Greeley Early Career Award, the Sigma Xi Young Scholar Procter Prize, a World Economic Forum Young Scientist Award, and the NASA Early Career Fellowship. Recently, Prof. Hayes served as the chair of the Ocean Worlds and Dwarf Planets Panel for the 2023-2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Hayes received his Ph.D. in planetary science from the California Institute of Technology.

For the zoom information; please contact Rey Garduño (rgarduno@stanford.edu)