***********************************************************
OATS-DAUT SEMINAR
***********************************************************
Speaker:
Giovanna Tinetti (University College London, UK)
Title:
Exploring extrasolar worlds: from Gas-Giants to terrestrial habitable planets
Date: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Time: 12:00
Venue: Villa Bazzoni
***********************************************************
Abstract:
In the past decade, almost 350 planets orbiting other stars (extrasolar
planets) have been discovered. For a growing sample of giant extrasolar
planets orbiting very close to their parent star (hot-Jupiters), we can
already probe their atmospheric constituents using transit techniques.
With the primary transit method, we can indirectly observe the thin
atmospheric ring surrounding the optically thick disc of the planet -the
limb- while the planet is transiting in front of its parent star. With the
secondary transit method, we can collect photons emitted or reflected by
the planet.
In our talk, we will focus in the most recent detections of water vapour
and other carbon-bearing molecules in the atmospheres of hot-Jupiters
using photometry and spectroscopy measurements with the Hubble and Spitzer
space telescopes. The next generation of space telescopes, such as the
James Webb Space Telescopes or SPICA, will allow us to probe the exoplanet
atmospheres with higher spectral resolution and observe planets down to the
Super-Earth size. Further into the future, new mission concepts from the
space or the ground, will focus on the direct imaging and spectroscopic
characterisation of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of solar-type
stars.
***********************************************************
contact: Giovanni Vladilo (OATS)