MIT Kavli Institute Directory

Zach observes exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than our Sun. He focuses particularly on exoplanets intermediate in size between the Earth and Neptune, trying to understand the composition, evolution, and origins of these strange planets that do not exist in our own Solar System. He uses both space- and ground-based telescopes to probe the atmospheres of these worlds, which are too distant to visit in our lifetimes. He searches for such planets transiting nearby, small, red dwarf stars, as such systems are easier to observe with existing telescopes than planets orbiting much larger solar-type stars. Ultimately, he is developing the techniques and understanding of exoplanetary physics required to address the big question of whether life thrives elsewhere in our Galaxy.