Planet Formation and Exoplanets Research

Link

Exoplanets exhibit an incredible diversity of properties. Why do so many planets have tiny orbits – often much smaller than that of Mercury? What causes planets to become rocky, gaseous, or something in between? Why do some planets have orbits that are strongly eccentric, or misaligned with the rotation of their host stars? What happens to planets when stars evolve away from the main sequence? Which planets are the most favourable and interesting targets for studies of their atmospheres? How unique is our solar system – are we alone? At MSSL, we aim to investigate and answer some of these daunting but exciting questions.

People

The following are the members of the Astrophysics group who are involved in Planet Formation and Exoplanets research

Permanent members of staff

Paola Pinilla, Vincent Van Eylen

Post-doctoral researchers

Edward Bryant, Fabiora Gerosa, Minjae Kim, Anibal Sierra

PhD students

Ahlam Al Qasim, Hannah Osborne, Angharad Weeks, Ross Dobson, Juanita Antilen Romero, Francesca Waines, Lilian Luo, Marina Ventikos

Resources:

Astrophysics Research:
Publications
Astrophysics Group Page
Exoplanets Missions

Connect with Astrophysics:
All Astrophysics News
MSSL Astrophysics Twitter
MSSL Astrophysics Blog

Head of Group:
Prof. Silvia Zane  
s.zane@ucl.ac.uk