Astronomer Hunts for Distant Worlds Amid India's Electric Scooter Revolution

The Download: Planet Hunting and India's E-Scooters Imagine gazing up at the night sky, pondering the mysteries of distant worlds. For Rebecca Jensen-Clem, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz, this is more than just a romantic notion – it's her life's work. As she peers through the lens of the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, she's on a mission to detect new planets without leaving our own planet. Jensen-Clem's quest is not for the faint of heart. The pursuit of exoplanets faces numerous challenges: wind, atmospheric density fluctuations, and temperature changes can all distort the signals she seeks. But with her team at the Keck Observatory, she's developing innovative technologies to overcome these obstacles and reveal the secrets of the cosmos. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a different kind of revolution is underway in India. Electric scooters have become an unlikely leader in the country's green energy transition. Ather Energy, one of the pioneers in this space, has been driving micromobility EV penetration throughout India with its premium e-scooters. The Hunt for Exoplanets Rebecca Jensen-Clem's work is a testament to human curiosity and ingenuity. With her team, she's pushing the boundaries of what we know about our universe. The Keck Observatory, one of the world's most advanced telescopes, provides the perfect platform for her research. "We're not just looking for planets," Jensen-Clem explains. "We're trying to understand the conditions that allow life to thrive on other worlds." Her team uses a technique called radial velocity measurement, which involves monitoring the star's subtle wobble caused by an orbiting planet. The stakes are high, but the rewards could be immense. Discoveries like exoplanet K2-18b, with its thick atmosphere and potential for liquid water, have sparked excitement among scientists and the public alike. Jensen-Clem's work is not just about expanding our knowledge of the universe; it also has implications for our understanding of Earth itself. India's E-Scooter Revolution In India, a different kind of revolution is underway. Electric scooters have become an unlikely leader in the country's green energy transition. Ather Energy, founded by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, has been at the forefront of this movement. Ather's e-scooters are not just environmentally friendly; they're also high-performance machines. With a range of up to 100 kilometers on a single charge, they've become a popular choice for commuters in India's congested cities. Mehta and Jain's vision is not just about selling products; it's about creating a sustainable transportation ecosystem. "We want to make electric vehicles accessible to everyone," Mehta says. "Our goal is to create a network of charging stations that will enable people to travel long distances without worrying about running out of power." A New Era of Transportation The convergence of planet hunting and e-scooters may seem unexpected, but it highlights the interconnectedness of our world. As we strive for a more sustainable future, innovations like Ather's e-scooters are not just about reducing emissions; they're also about creating new opportunities for people to connect with their environment. Rebecca Jensen-Clem's work at the Keck Observatory is a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and discovery knows no bounds. As we gaze up at the stars, we're reminded of our place in the universe – and our responsibility to protect it. In this issue of The Download, we explore two seemingly disparate worlds: the vast expanse of space and the congested streets of India's cities. But as we delve deeper into these stories, we discover a common thread – a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the pursuit of a better future for all. *Based on reporting by Technologyreview.*