Discovering Earth-like Transiting Exoplanets around the Coolest Stars

Nearly half of stars are estimated to have Earth-sized planets in their habitable zones.  For a select few, orbiting the dimmest known stars, it may be possible to even seek the atmospheric signatures of extrasolar life.  Our team is conducting surveys to identify the best possible host stars to discover such planets.  We are also designing a micro-satellite that will be dedicated to discovering such exo-Earths.  Students would be involved in either or both of these components of the project.