On Thursday, May 18, leading astronomy experts will gather at The University of Western Ontario for The Western Workshop, which will explore new research on the origins of planets. One of four introductory talks will be delivered by noted planet formation theorist, Alan Boss. His talk entitled “Disk Instability Models: What Works and What Does Not Work” will be given on May 18. Boss will then wrap up the workshop on Friday, May 19 with a public lecture entitled “Looking for Earths: The Race to Find New Solar Systems." This lecture is being presented in conjunction with The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.