David Charbonneau
Encyclopedia
David Charbonneau is a Professor
of Astronomy
at Harvard University
. His research focuses on the development of novel techniques for the detection and characterization of planet
s orbiting nearby, Sun
-like stars. These distant worlds are called exoplanets.
As a graduate student in 1999, he used a 4-inch telescope to make the first detection of an exoplanet eclipsing (or transiting) its parent star, which yielded the first ever constraint on the composition of a planet outside the Solar system. Charbonneau was a founding member of the Trans-Atlantic Exoplanet Survey
, which used a worldwide network of humble automated telescopes to survey hundreds of thousands of stars to detect 4 more exoplanets by this technique. Charbonneau also pioneered the use of space-based observatories to undertake the first studies of the atmospheres of these distant worlds: In 2001 he used the Hubble Space Telescope
to study directly the chemical make-up of the atmosphere enshrouding one of these exoplanets, and in 2005, he led the team that used the Spitzer Space Telescope
to made the first direct detection of the light emitted by an exoplanet. He is currently leading the NSF-funded MEarth Project
and is a member of the NASA Kepler Mission
Team. Each of these projects aims to detect Earth-like planets that might be suitable abodes for life beyond the Solar system.
Charbonneau earned his PhD
in astronomy from Harvard University
, and received his undergraduate degree in math and physics from the University of Toronto
. In 2004, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
awarded him the Robert J. Trumpler Award
for his graduate thesis entitled Shadows and Reflections of Extrasolar Planets.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. His research focuses on the development of novel techniques for the detection and characterization of planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
s orbiting nearby, Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
-like stars. These distant worlds are called exoplanets.
As a graduate student in 1999, he used a 4-inch telescope to make the first detection of an exoplanet eclipsing (or transiting) its parent star, which yielded the first ever constraint on the composition of a planet outside the Solar system. Charbonneau was a founding member of the Trans-Atlantic Exoplanet Survey
Trans-Atlantic Exoplanet Survey
The Trans-atlantic Exoplanet Survey or TrES, uses three 4-inch telescopes located at Lowell Observatory, Palomar Observatory, and the Canary Islands to locate exoplanets. It was made using the network of small, relatively inexpensive telescopes designed to look specifically for planets orbiting...
, which used a worldwide network of humble automated telescopes to survey hundreds of thousands of stars to detect 4 more exoplanets by this technique. Charbonneau also pioneered the use of space-based observatories to undertake the first studies of the atmospheres of these distant worlds: In 2001 he used the Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4 meter aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared...
to study directly the chemical make-up of the atmosphere enshrouding one of these exoplanets, and in 2005, he led the team that used the Spitzer Space Telescope
Spitzer Space Telescope
The Spitzer Space Telescope , formerly the Space Infrared Telescope Facility is an infrared space observatory launched in 2003...
to made the first direct detection of the light emitted by an exoplanet. He is currently leading the NSF-funded MEarth Project
MEarth Project
The MEarth Project is a United States NSF-funded, robotic observatory that is part of Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, Arizona, USA. The project monitors the brightness of thousands of red dwarf stars with the goal of finding transiting planets...
and is a member of the NASA Kepler Mission
Kepler Mission
The Kepler spacecraft is an American space observatory, the space-based portion of NASA's Kepler Mission to discover Earth-like planets orbiting other stars. The spacecraft is named in honor of the 17th-century German astronomer Johannes Kepler...
Team. Each of these projects aims to detect Earth-like planets that might be suitable abodes for life beyond the Solar system.
Charbonneau earned his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in astronomy from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and received his undergraduate degree in math and physics from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. In 2004, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...
awarded him the Robert J. Trumpler Award
Robert J. Trumpler Award
The Robert J. Trumpler Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific is given annually to a recent recipient of the Ph.D degree whose thesis is judged particularly significant to astronomy. The award is named after Robert Julius Trumpler, a notable Swiss-American astronomer .-Previous award...
for his graduate thesis entitled Shadows and Reflections of Extrasolar Planets.
Awards and honors
- Robert J. Trumpler AwardRobert J. Trumpler AwardThe Robert J. Trumpler Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific is given annually to a recent recipient of the Ph.D degree whose thesis is judged particularly significant to astronomy. The award is named after Robert Julius Trumpler, a notable Swiss-American astronomer .-Previous award...
(2004) - Alfred P. SloanAlfred P. SloanAlfred Pritchard Sloan, Jr. was an American business executive in the automotive industry. He was a long-time president, chairman, and CEO of General Motors Corporation...
Research Fellow (2006–2008) - David and Lucile Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering (2006–2011)
- NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement MedalNASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement MedalThe NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal was established by NASA on September 15, 1961 when the original ESM was divided into three separate awards. Under the current guidelines, the ESAM is awarded for unusually significant scientific contribution toward achievement of aeronautical or...
(2006) - Discover Magazine Scientist of the Year (2007)
- National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman AwardAlan T. Waterman AwardThe Alan T. Waterman Award is the United States's highest honorary award for scientists no older than 35. It is awarded on a yearly basis by the National Science Foundation. In addition to the medal, the awardee receives a grant of $500,000 to be used for advanced scientific research at the...
(2009)