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The 2009-2010 Boston Seminar Series returns to the MIT Faculty Club on Thursday, September 17th.
Spaces remain. Register 9/16 to save $, or just walk-in on 9/17 by 6pm. Rates below.
 Sara Seager, Associate Professor of Physics and Ellen Swallow Richards Associate Professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, MIT
Are We Alone? Extrasolar Planets and the Search for Habitable Worlds
For thousands of years people have wondered, “Are we alone?” With over 250 exoplanets known to orbit nearby stars, this question has moved from science fiction to mainstream science. Now that their existence is firmly established, a new era of “exoplanet characterization” has begun. A subset of exoplanets—called transiting planets—pass in front of their stars as seen from Earth. Transiting planets have opened a whole new opportunity for exoplanets, because their physical properties, including average density and basic atmospheric properties, can now be routinely measured. The race to find habitable exoplanets has accelerated with the realization that transiting super Earths orbiting small stars can be both discovered and characterized with current technology. These ideas will lead us down a path to the ultimate goal of finding and identifying Earth- twins orbiting sun-like stars.
Diners will enjoy a starter of Acorn Squash Soup with Grilled Shrimp, Pumpkin Seed Oil & Toasted Hazelnuts, followed by a choice of Pan Roasted Lemon & Garlic Marinated Breast of Chicken, Toasted Couscous & Late Summer Vegetables OR (vegetarian) Artichoke, Eggplant, and Boursin Strudel with Red Pepper Coulis. Everyone will conclude the meal with Caramelized Chocolate Bread Pudding with Malted Whiskey Sauce & Whipped Cream served with Starbucks Coffee and Tazo teas. NO substitutions can be accommodated on 9/17--If you have special dietary needs, you must communicate them to us no later than 9/13.
Enjoy the entire season (see below) with a Season Subscription for all Six Lectures & Dinners. Like Purchasing Six Dinners for the Price of 5!
To purchase ticket(s) for individual events, click on date/hyperlink below.
- 9/17/09 Extrasolar Planets and the Search for Habitable Worlds by Sara Seager
- 10/20/09 How MIT is Dealing with Financially Turbulent Times by Seth Alexander
- 11/19/09 Title to Be Announced by Simon Johnson (MIT Sloan School of Management)
- 2/9/10 Redefining Sustainability by Richard M. Locke
- 3/10/10 Topic to Be Announced by Joshua Tenenbaum
- 4/22/10 Inventing a Better Future at the MIT Media Lab by Frank Moss
Related OCW courses taught by Professor Seager include Extrasolar Planets: Physics and Detection Techniques and Atmospheric Radiation.
All attendees must purchase tickets.--No auditing can be accommodated.
COST: Includes dinner and dessert, or only dessert for current students with student identification
Paid by 9/13, Season Subscription for all Six Lectures & Dinners: $350 per person
Like Purchasing Six Dinners for the Price of 5!
Paid by 9/13, MIT Club of Boston Members+Guests: $68.50 per person
Paid by 9/13, Non-Members: $80 per person
Paid by 9/13, Corporate Table for 8: $525 per table
Paid After 9/13 Deadline (i.e., between 9/14 and 9/16) Member: $85 per person
Paid After 9/13 Deadline (i.e., between 9/14 and 9/16) Non-Member: $95 per person
Only for Current Students (who show photo identification upon arrival at 7:15):
Paid by 9/13, Current Student-Just Dessert: $15 per student
Paid by 9/16, Current Student-Just Dessert: $20 per student
We regret that we cannot accommodate non-student guests for dessert only.
No online purchases can be made on 9/17/09, so people who wish to attend should purchase their tickets at the door at 5:30 PM as follows in cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express:
9/17 Walk-in Member: $95 per person
9/17 Walk-in Non-Member: $105 per person
We can only accommodate special dietary requests communicated to us by 9/13/09.
Current members of Affinity Partners may obtain lowest member pricing by emailing proof of current membership or cc’ing a request for affinity membership verification to lori_tsuruda at alum.mit.edu AND then calling 617-308-9795 to purchasing tickets via credit card BY 9/13. MITCOB cannot make any refunds after tickets have been purchased at non-member rates. MITCOB Affinity Partners include MIT Enterprise Forum and MIT Club of New Hampshire.
Schedule
5:30-6:30pm Cash Bar & Networking
6:15 Dinner Begins*
7:15 Dessert, Coffee & Teas Served
7:25 Lecture Begins
8:30 Lecture Concludes with Q&A
*We cannot make up missed courses for late arrivals since "catch-up" service will disrupt the lecture.
Location for all 2009-2010 BSS dinners: MIT Faculty Club (E52) Directions & Map
Parking
Free parking may be available after 5 PM on weekdays. The following two parking lots are open, unattended, and shared by the Institute. We therefore cannot guarantee availability, but we recommend checking them before proceeding to one of the pay lots.
- E-51 Lot: From Memorial Drive, turn onto Wadsworth Street and take the first left onto Amherst Street. The lot is the first left, at the top of a ramp.
- Hayward Lot: From Memorial Drive, turn onto Wadsworth Street and take the first left onto Amherst Street. Take the first right onto Hayward Street – the lot is located on the left.
The following public parking facilities are within close proximity to the Club. Please call the garage for current rates.
- 4 Cambridge Center, enter from Ames St. or Broadway, 617-225-0830
- 5 Cambridge Center, East Garage (Ames St./Broadway), 617-621-3115
- 7 Cambridge Center, West Garage (Ames St./Galileo Way), 617-621-3115
- 10 Cambridge Center, North Garage (Binney St. off Broadway), 617-621-3115
For assistance using SmarTrans (MIT's online registration system), contact the SmarTrans Help Desk at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 617-452-2500.
To register by phone or for at-door availability, contact BSS Administrator Lori Tsuruda ’89 at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 617-308-9795.
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