Trottier Foundation donates $1 million towards search for extraterrestrial life

The Trottier Foundation donates $1 million to Université de Montréal’s Institute for Research on Exoplanets, launched today

Montreal, October 7, 2015 – Université de Montréal researchers are determined to be the first to discover life elsewhere in the Universe, a goal backed by a $1 million in research grants donated by the Trottier Foundation. At the new Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx), which was launched yesterday, researchers will pool their diverse expertise to take on this enormous challenge that now seems to be within our grasp.

“There is nothing fanciful or exaggerated about wanting to be the first,” explained René Doyon, professor of astrophysics at the university and director of the new institute. “In 2008, our research team was the first in the world to photograph a planetary system outside our solar system.  We are living at a pivotal time in human history, as technology is advancing to the point that we will be able to answer one of the most fundamental questions: are we alone in the Universe? This question alone is worth the investment. We hope that the Trottier Foundation will inspire others, as we would like to raise $15 million to successfully carry out our mission.”

Lorne Trottier, founder of the company Matrox, has long been passionate about exploring outer space.  He turned to Université de Montréal astrophysics researchers as they are exceptionally skilled in the field of exoplanetary research. The Trottier Foundation donation will create iREx research grants for levels of study ranging from undergraduate to post-doctorate, to recruit the best researchers, both local and foreign, and to solidify the university’s position in the field of exoplanetary research.

“Is there any greater adventure than exploring our Universe? At very least, it is an adventure worthy of anyone helping to transform our life on Earth through innovative technology,” said Université de Montréal’s Rector, Guy Breton. “The scope of a discovery like this is enormous. Confirming that we are not alone in the Universe would affect every sphere of thought, from biology through to philosophy.  It would mean nothing less than a revolution in human thought.”

iREx – An Institute in Development

Established through Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, iREx currently boasts more than 20 researchers, and in time, it hopes to recruit up to 50. Its researchers are working closely with their McGill University counterparts towards the goal of making Montreal a hub for exoplanetary research.

Doyon is also the lead co-researcher for SPIRou, a high-resolution infrared spectrograph for the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope that will become operational in 2017. SPIRou was designed to detect telluric planets (resembling Earth) in the “habitable” area around low-mass stars in the solar neighbourhood. It is also the lead researcher of NIRSS, one of four scientific instruments for the James Webb Space Telescope, which will probe exoplanetary atmospheres.

Further reading

• Sommes-nous seuls dans l’Univers? « On le saura bientôt! » (French only)
• Il chasse les extraterrestres (French only)

For more information or to request an interview

Julie Gazaille
Press Agent
Office of Communications
Université de Montréal
514-343-6796