Robert Wittenmyer '98, University of Southern Queensland

Less than a generation ago, we wondered, as we had for millions of
years before, whether there were any other planetary systems at all.
Now, we are privileged to be in the first generation of humans to know
that many of the points of light dusting our night sky are host to
orbiting worlds, some of which may be like our Earth. With that
privilege comes the mighty task of our time, to unlock the secrets of
the diversity of worlds. I will give an overview of the “discovery
revolution” that brought us here. I will then describe the tremendous
challenges and opportunities awaiting us in exoplanetary science over
the next decade. The next revolution will be one of understanding – a
“great unveiling” as we learn the detailed properties of the planetary
systems in the Solar neighbourhood.