The Quest for Other Worlds

February 21, 2009 by Pegagus Pendrean

SCIENCEsuisse is an introduction to the fascinating world of science, focusing on Switzerland’s role as a centre for international research.

The series, directed by leading Swiss filmmakers, profiles 25 outstanding researchers from a wide range of disciplines. We find out which projects top researchers are working on and what scientists are pondering in the 21st century.

The series was produced by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) in collaboration with the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Episode 10 The Quest for Other Worlds… (SNSF).

Episode 10 The Quest for Other Worlds – In 1995, two Swiss astrophysicists at Geneva University made a discovery that was to revolutionise modern astronomy. Michel Mayor, Professor of Astrophysics, and doctoral student Didier Queloz, observed the first planet outside our solar system, revolving around a star 42 light years away from earth. Twelve years later, they discovered Gliese581 c, a large terrestrial extra solar planet orbiting the red dwarf star, Gliese 581. They’re now trying to find out whether the potentially Earth-like planet is habitable.

Click on The Quest for Other Worlds to watch the video.