DDO Astronomy Speaker's Night - What's Inside a Rocky Planet? - April 2025

Speaker: Dr. Charles-Edouard Boukaré (York University)

Topic: What's Inside a Rocky Planet?

Visit this unique historical site in Richmond Hill. Hear an engaging presentation led by astronomy experts and researchers covering a variety of exciting astronomy topics.

This will be followed by other activities and the opportunity to interact with RHDDO Astronomers! Please wear / bring appropriate supplies for being outside.

All individuals/family members attending this program must be registered and a registered adult must accompany any registered participants under the age of 16.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the program start time to be signed in.

This program runs rain or shine.

Who can attend: Ages 12 and up

Fee: 

- Up to 14 years old: $16.96

- 15 or more years old: $19.16

Registration Link: ActiveRH

Location: David Dunlap Observatory (DDO)

Organized by: RASC, Toronto Centre

Abstract: 

Rapid advances in exoplanet research and planetary exploration are blurring the traditional boundaries between earth sciences, geology, planetary science, and astronomy. While a planet’s interior remains difficult to access, it plays a fundamental role in shaping surface conditions. For example, on Earth, plate tectonics and the presence of a magnetic field are direct manifestations of internal dynamics. The interior of the Earth, the planet we understand best, has been extensively studied over the past century using seismic imaging, geochemistry, petrology, and geodynamic modeling. These studies have uncovered major processes that have shaped—and continue to shape—our planet. The question now is: Do these processes also apply to other rocky planets? How can we extend our knowledge of Earth to planets within our solar system and beyond? And can studying other planets help us learn more about Earth itself? In this presentation, Dr. Boukaré will provide an updated view of Earth’s structure, composition, and dynamics. Through selected examples, he will illustrate how processes first identified on Earth are now being explored in the context of exoplanet research.