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| Version 2013-2014 |
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| SPAT0063-1 | Introduction to exoplanetary
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| Duration : | 15h Th, 5h Pr |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Michaël Gillon |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Organisation and examination :
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| Teaching in the second semester |
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Course contents :
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| Since the end of last century, several hundreds of planets have been detected outside our solar system. The thorough characterization of a fraction of them has inaugurated a new scientific discipline, exoplanetology, i.e. planetology applied to all planetary systems of our galaxy. The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to this young branch of astrophysics. It begins with an overview of the characteristics of our own solar system, followed by a description of the current paradigm for its formation. The dynamics of planetary systems is then discussed, and followed by a description of the indirect and direct methods of exoplanets detection. Then comes a lesson focused on the characterization of transiting planets. The next two lessons are more theoretical and discuss the models of planetary structure and atmosphere, relating them to the observational results. Finally, the course uses the overall picture sketched by the observational results to examine the frequency of planets that harbor life and our potential ability to detect its existence |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| The course objectives are to introduce the student to the physical phenomena involved in a planetary system, to the methods of detection and study of exoplanets, and to the theoretical implications of the observational results and statistics. At the end of the course, students will have a sufficient basis for a deepening of the subject via the consultation of the literature and a possible active involvement in the exoplanetology field of research. |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| No specific prerequisite.
The optional course 'Small bodies of the solar system' represents an interesting complement to the course. |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| The theoretical part of the course consists of 8 sessions of 2hrs each. It is complemented by two practical sessions (2hrs each) during which the student has the opportunity to analyze computer data for one or more exoplanets. At the end of the practical session, a summary report will have to be made. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| Face-to-face. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| PowerPoint slides shown during the courses will be provided to the students in electronic format.
Although not mandatory, consultation of the following book in English can be seen as a good complement: Exoplanets, Sara Seager (Editor), Space Science Series, University of Arizona Press. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| The final grade consists of the rating of the report made after the two practical sessions (20%) and the rating of the oral examination (80%). During the oral exam, the student is interviewed on the topic of the theoretical courses (two questions), and the assessment is based on both the return of theoretical concepts, their understanding and their correct application. |
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Work placement(s) :
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| Nil |
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Organizational remarks :
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| Nil |
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Contacts :
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| Dr. Michaël Gillon. Phone: +32-(0)4 366 9743
E-mail : michael.gillon@ulg.ac.be |
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| Items online : |
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| Powerpoint lecture slides |
| Files available here, under 'Michael Gillon' |
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