Exoplanets (EXOPA Team)

Today a large number of planets orbiting around stars which are not the Sun has been detected, they are called exoplanets. The exoplanet population shows a wide range of systems with different physical characteristics, often not present in our Solar system. For example, the so-called hot Jupiters. Hot giant gaseous planets orbiting very close to their host star, or the so-called super-Earth, rocky planets much more massive than the Earth and with a complex atmosphere. Studying the properties of these exoplanetary systems may provide important information about the formation and evolution of our Solar system.

The EXOPA researcher at INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo, study the formation and evolution of exoplanet and tackle the problem using a multidisciplinary approach.

Their main research fields are:

• Detection and characterization of exoplanetary systems.
• Exoplanetary atmospheres.
• Star-planet interactions.
• Laboratory experiments.
• Technologies for space instruments

Main projects

• Ariel – Atmospheric Remote sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large Survey.
• CAESAR – Comprehensive spAce wEather Studies for the ASPIS prototype Realization.
• CHEOPS – CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite.
• ESPRESSO – Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanet and Stable Spectroscopic Observations.
• ETA-EARTH.
• FRONTIERA – A special program funded by Italian Education and Research Ministery (MIUR).
• HARPS-N – The High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher/North.
  • Participation at GTO (Guaranteed Time Observations).
  • GAPS (Global Architecture of Planetary Systems).
• PLATO – Planetary Transits and Oscillation satellite.

For students:

Internship and thesis proposals

Other research activities