Exoplanets

The study of planets located outside our Solar System is a rapidly growing research area, high on the priorities of UK and European funding agencies.

Our activities are based on expertise in theory, numerical simulations, and observations of exoplanets and their atmospheres. We produce research in direct imaging of exoplanets, spectroscopy of exoplanetary atmospheres, and modelling of planet formation. Some of our key interests lie in the structure and atmosphere of giant exoplanets, the detection and measurement of potential terrestrial and habitable planets, and the origin and impact of planet dynamos on planetary evolution. Our research develops numerical simulation and evolutionary models to study the formation, evolution, interior and atmospheric structure of Earth- to Jupiter-like planets. We use optical and infrared space and ground-based telescopes (e.g. HST, VLT, Gemini, GTC).

We are currently developing a new activity based on the study of atmospheric dynamics and exoplanet climatology. This is based on links with the Exeter Applied Mathematics department and the UK Meteorological Office. Find out more about this activity on our interdisciplinary webpage .

		Direct imaging Jenny Patience uses coronography, interferometry and adaptive optics to directly image giant planets in wide orbits.				Exoplanetary atmospheres Jenny Patience, Frédéric Pont, and David Sing observe the atmospheres of exoplanets. Isabelle Baraffe develops planet atmosphere models.
		Transiting planets Frédéric Pont and David Sing study transiting planets using space and ground-based international facilities.				Planetary structure Isabelle Baraffe and Gilles Chabrier perform advanced modelling of planetary structures.
		Statistical properties Frédéric Pont conducts research on the statistical properties of exoplanets.				Planet formation Matthew Bate performs advanced modelling of planet formation with smoothed particle hydrodynamics.