Space mission accelerated Exoplanet research: The characterization of exoplanet atmospheres

Lecture will take place on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at 5 p.m. at the the Lanthieri mansion in Vipava.

ABSTRACT:
The ensemble of the more than 6000 known extrasolar planets in our galaxy exhibits a diversity of objects unseen in our solar system. Exoplanet research has therefore turned from discovering such planets outside the solar system to characterizing these objects that orbit stars other than the Sun. Recent progress in characterizing exoplanets with the CHEOPS, TESS, and JWST space telescopes has demonstrated that extrasolar gas giants exhibit climate regimes ranging from ultra-hot to rather cold. Ultra-hot Jupiters (like WASP-18b and Kelt-7b) exhibit enormous day-nigh temperature different of more than 2000K. Strong eastward wind jets therefore transport hot gases from the dayside to the nightside where mineral cloud particles form.

The resulting chemical asymmetries are observable with space telescopes like JWST but also PLATO in the future and may be used to characterize exoplanet climate regimes. In order to physically interpret such complex atmosphere behavior, our research group has build virtual laboratories that enable us to predict temperature, velocity, cloud and chemistry maps for planets orbiting different host stars. Such virtual laboratories that describe and explore the atmosphere structure and cloud formation allow us detailed studies of specific planets (e.g. the JWST target WASP-39b) as well as ensemble studies, for example, in preparation of observational campaigns. Machine learning techniques are helping to fill gaps where deterministic modelling is too time-consuming.

Lecture will be in English.

Warmly welcome!