Exploring Passion for Planetary Science and the Kuiper Belt Discoveries

Speakers share their journeys from initial pursuits in engineering to finding passion in physics and astronomy, driven by fascination with planetary science and images of the solar system. The chapter delves into the challenges faced in discovering celestial objects beyond Pluto, including securing telescope time and braving tough conditions for observations. Their unexpected success in finding objects in the Kuiper Belt leads to insights on the solar system's formation and the revelation of winning the Kavli Prize, while also sparking discussions on Pluto's reclassification and the competitiveness in academia.