Finding Exoplanets (Now With Extra My Little Pony)

How do scientists find planets outside our solar system? Why did it take until 1992 for us to confirm the first one? And what does My Little Pony have to do with any of it? Dr. Stephen Granade answers these questions in a pop science lecture given at Geek Media Expo 3.

The talk script and slides are available from http://granades.com/2011/10/28/the-only-talk-combining-exoplanet-hunting-and-...

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• +science
• +exoplanets
• +extra-solar
• planets
• +my
• little
• pony

[SCproductions12]

Serious badass if your last name is Granade

[LiveGranades]

@SCproductions12 It is, and it's even pronounced like the weapon. And in my day job I work on robot helicopters for the military, so the last name comes in handy.

[videogamer810]

Could you write some captions for this video? It's difficult to make out what's being said.

[LiveGranades]

@videogamer810 I'll work on that. They didn't have the microphone setup on so the audio is a bit hinky.

[TakeMinamoto]

OK, let's be honest, everypony... thumbs up if you came here looking for ponies

[telofy]

@ANS1E Thanks. After Derpy at 11:31, there’s Rainbow at 29:35, Fluttershy at 32:55, Rarity at 39:10, Pluto at 42:30 (unfortunately the dog, not the alicorn), Twilight at 42:40, Mane Six minus Applejack at 46:40. (Don’t know if comprehensive.)

[Enguin3]

I would have paid good money to be in that audience. Sad none of them were bronies D:

[Fluttermare]

You would make the best Astronomy teacher in Equestria, you sir I /salute you.

[Fulgmr]

@TakeMinamoto True, but as a brony who's very interested in astronomy, I found it to be very interesting. Made even more so by the intertwining of everyone's favorite little ponies.

Thank you for the session, Dr. Grenade... That is such a cool name. Seriously, 'Dr. Grenade.' You are a Hollywood action hero in the making.

[Awesomeadam76]

I cant wait to find the time to watch this!

[MuteJustice]

Wow, that was really cool. Thanks for sharing!

[BlueMageoftheWest]

It probably would have been helpful if whoever was talking in the background would have kept quiet while you spoke. There were times when they were as loud or louder than you, making it hard to hear and understand what you were saying.

[filiecs3]

Oh wow, I knew I recognized that room! I had no idea that the geek expo was at that hotel in Nashville.

[MOA2007BLG192Lb]

Confound those ponies! They drive me to learn!

[telofy]

@aboo612 Everything but, I mean, plot.

[aboo612]

my reaction: /watch?v=8mG2I-o3yUA