Name: Charles Beichman
Institution: Michelson Science Center, California Inst. of Technology

University of Washington
Astrolunch


Title: The Space Interferometer Mission: Precision Astrometry for Finding Other Earths and Dark Matter

Abstract:
By adapting astrometry, the most classical technique in astronomy, to 21st Century precision, NASA's SIM mission will make micro-arcsecond measurements of the nearest stars looking for planet-induced wobbles as well as of stars in nearby galaxies looking for galactic motions induced by dark matter. I will discuss state of the art developments in the science, technology, and politics of SIM.


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