Where Should We Look for Life in the Universe? - Dr Ben Montet

Dr Ben Montet is a Scientia Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney. He completed his PhD in astrophysics at Caltech and was a Carl Sagan Fellow at the University of Chicago. Dr Montet is a leading exoplanet researcher who uses data from missions like NASA’s Kepler and TESS to discover and study planets beyond our Solar System, uncovering the diversity of planetary systems across our galaxy.In our conversation, we explore how astronomers detect planets using tiny dips in starlight, and how missions like Kepler and TESS have revolutionised exoplanet discovery. We also discuss his research on a “hot Jupiter” that revealed a hidden companion planet, challenging current models of planetary systems.We then look at how stars influence whether life is possible, from flares to magnetic activity, and how machine learning is helping uncover new discoveries in massive datasets. Finally, Dr Montet shares his journey into astronomy and advice for students, emphasising curiosity, coding, and taking initiative early.