Exoplanets: What They Are and How We Find Them

The confirmation of more than 6,000 exoplanets marks a monumental milestone for humanity, ushering in a new era of cosmic exploration. These diverse worlds are reshaping our understanding of the universe, revealing that our galaxy likely hosts trillions of planets—from the truly exotic to those that bear a striking resemblance to Earth. While NASA’s space telescopes like James Webb and TESS lead the way from orbit, critical follow-up research is happening right here in Western New York.

About the Presentation

“We explore because humans are inherently curious,” says speaker Tom Traub. While interstellar travel remains the realm of science fiction, our ability to study other planetary systems allows us to learn how worlds are formed and, in turn, helps us understand exactly how unique and fragile our own Earth is.

This talk offers a deeper look at that local research, specifically the 2025 discovery of Wolf 327b—a scorching, rocky “super-Earth” located 93 light-years away that orbits its host star in a mere 13.7 hours. Traub will break down the “transit method” used by our observatory members to identify this world. By measuring the minute fluctuations in starlight as a planet passes in front of its sun, this technique is akin to spotting a moth fluttering across a distant streetlight.

About the Speaker

Tom Traub, President of the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association, brings a lifetime of hands-on technical and educational experience to this lecture. A lifelong resident of Warren, PA, Tom’s career as a product design engineer at Betts Industries (spanning 41 years) provided the perfect foundation for his astronomical pursuits.

Beyond his professional background, Tom is a passionate advocate for citizen science. He recently spearheaded the automation of our 24-inch telescope and the integration of new astro-imaging systems, which were instrumental in the Wolf 327b discovery. A NASA Eclipse Ambassador and experienced educator at Jamestown Community College, Tom is dedicated to bringing the night sky within reach of the public, blending technical rigor with a deep-seated love for the cosmos.

Plan Your Visit

We encourage you to join us in person to meet Tom and participate in our post-talk Q&A session. If the skies are clear, we will follow the presentation with guided tours and viewing opportunities through our large telescopes.

A note on comfort: Please remember to dress for the elements. While our classroom is heated, the observatory domes remain unheated to protect our equipment and maintain temperature stability for viewing.

Zoom In!

Can’t make it to the observatory, the talk will be Zoom streamed. Info below…

 

Zoom Meeting

A non-member donation of $5.00 is appreciated but not required for presentations and events.  You can donate on our donation page. Thanks!

Time: May 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM, Eastern Time

Topic: Tom Traub
Meeting ID:  871 9223 3484
Passcode: program

Click the “One Clink Link” shown below. When prompted, click “open zoom.us” in the dialog shown by your browser. If you don’t see a dialog, click the blue “Launch Meeting” in the webpage.

One Click Link: Tom Traub Zoom

Zoom URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87192233484?pwd=zdzwSgT0N8yhKCcMoDSLTUHVugQlPR.1

Link not working? Go to https://join.zoom.us and use the info below.

Topic: Tom Traub
Meeting ID:  871 9223 3484
Passcode: program