“Research is not a linear, smooth process. Several obstacles, sometimes failure, can be along the path leading to success.”
Dr. René Doyon’s research programs are focused on developing new state-of-the-art astronomical instruments designed to detect and study extrasolar planets, in particular rocky ones like our own. The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to find evidence of biological activity outside the solar system. During the two year period of his Killam Research Fellowship Dr. Doyon will lead three instruments, two on the ground and one onboard the James Webb Space Telescope. They will be used to conduct long-term, all-sky programs dedicated to search for nearby habitable worlds and study them in detail, in particular to determine the main constituents of their atmosphere to assess their ability to harbor life.
Photo: Etienne Artigau