Interview with Justin Crepp

Justin Crepp is a postdoctoral scholar at the California Institute of Technology. He has done extensive research on stellar coronagraphs, which block out the direct light of stars, allowing scientists to find exoplanets. His research helps identify planets outside of our solar system which could potentially hold life and provide a standard of comparison for Earth. He has also worked on the measurement of radial velocity (the speed with which an object is moving directly away or toward an observer) with a special inferometer, which studies interference patterns of waves of light.

Currently, his research focuses on coronographs and adaptive optics systems.

1. What do you think that research on exoplanets can reveal to the world?

I believe that the discovery and subsequent characterization of planets orbiting other stars will eventually place the existence of our solar system, the Earth, and its inhabitants, into a broader, galactic context. It is likely that, within our lifetime, we will determine whether our planet is unique or common. I think most people, regardless of their race or religion, would agree that either result is extremely interesting. The search for exoplanets is currently one of the most fast-paced and well-funded topics in astronomy. I predict that it will still be when you folks graduate from high school and college.

2. Do you think that it is likely that we will ever find biomarkers on an exoplanet?

Yes. There is ever-mounting evidence that suggests terrestrial planets are common, maybe even more common than giant gaseous planets. Moreover, it does not seem difficult to form them in the habitable zone. The habitable zone is narrow and it is not clear how the Earth became so cozy (covered with water and a protective atmosphere), but there sure are a lot of stars out there. Technology development is just a matter of time.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? Least favorite?

I like going to work each day knowing that I can be as creative as I want. I liken solving problems to figuring out puzzles or riddles, and, to me, there are few things more gratifying than the experience of really understanding something. There is a huge difference between comprehension and memorization or going through the motions. Many people don't learn this lesson until they are older (and most never do).

The least favorite part of my day is attending meetings. Even though I enjoy working with my peers and meetings are necessary, to get organized and communicate ideas, they tend to occur too frequently and are often boring.

4. If you could go back and tell your high school self one piece of professional advice, what would it be?

Think!  I would tell myself to think!  It saves oodles of time.

Also, astronomy and physics are competitive fields. I was quite unaware of that aspect as a student.

5. How and when did you get interested in astronomy and astrobiology?

I had an inspirational physics teacher in high school. Then, I majored in physics at Penn State and became interested in my soon-to-be adviser's research. He was an astronomer that modeled the atmospheres of extrasolar planets and was very kind to devote some of his time (and money) to working with me on summer projects.

6. What is the most exciting discovery you’ve ever been a part of?

See attached image. It's not something you'd see on the cover of a magazine (or even a newspaper), but I am proud of it. I built the device that blocked out the star in the center, a coronograph. The faint source on the top-left is likely a very low-mass star, ~250 Jupiter masses. Evidently, no one has seen this guy before.

7. What is your typical day at work?

8-9am:  check my email, consult astro-ph (http://arxiv.org/list/astro-ph/new) to see if any discoveries, have been made, drink coffee if I'm tired, check the stock-market, make a plan for my day writing down small goals that I hope to achieve before going home

9-noon:   work on the development of a new adaptive optics system that will eventually help with the direct detection of extrasolar planets from the ground at Palomar Observatory; this typically includes running simulations, writing up documents, performing lab experiments, buying equipment, and talking to researchers and secretaries

noon - 1pm:   walk home for lunch (this is quite a luxury!) to see my wife and 10 month old baby boy  =)

1-6pm:   Attend at least one meeting or talk, work on my independent research (I get paid from a grant to do the 9am-noon stuff) ...more of the same, but different topics. Write more grants, observing proposals, and publications.

8. What is your favorite planet?

Definitely Earth. The other ones are either too hot or too cold.