Introduction to exoplanetology

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Michaël Gillon

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Since the end of last century, several thousand planets have been detected outside our solar system. The thorough characterization of a fraction of them has inaugurated a new scientific discipline called exoplanetology, i.e. planetology applied to extrasolar planetary systems. The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to this young branch of astrophysics. It begins with an overview of the features of our own solar system, followed by a description of the current paradigm of its formation. The dynamics of planetary systems is then discussed. Come then several lessons presenting respectively the indirect and direct methods of exoplanets detection and characterization, including a summary of their results. The next lessons are more theoretical and discuss the models of planetary structure and atmosphere, and also the evolution of the models of planetary formation made possible by the study of exoplanets. 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.
   

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objectives of the course 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 and statistical implications of the observational results. At the end of the course, the student should have sufficient basis for the deepening of the subject via the consultation of the literature, and for a possible active involvement in exoplanetology research.
   

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

No specific prerequisite.
 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The theoretical part of the course consists of 10 sessions of 2hrs each. It is complemented by an additional sesssion of 2 hrs aiming to inform the student of the objectives and methodology of the practical work to be performed. This work will be based on the preparation and analysis of observations of an exoplanet transit with one of the two TRAPPIST robotic telescopes of ULiege. The students will do this work by groups of two to four, and they will have to present their results in a summary report.
   

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Remote (via Zoom).

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

In case of a yellow code, the course and the oral exam will be given in person, with the mask being worn and the rules of social distancing being respected (minimum distance between individuals: 1m).
In case of code orange or red, the course and the exam will be given by videoconference. 
   

Recommended or required readings

PowerPoint slides shown during the courses will be provided to the students in electronic format.
Although not mandatory, the consultation of the following books in English can be seen as a good complement:
* Transiting exoplanets, Carole A. Haswell, Cambridge University Press (2010)
* Exoplanets, Sara Seager (Editor), Space Science Series, University of Arizona Press (2011).
* The Exoplanet Handbook (2nd Edition), Michael Perryman, Cambridge University Press (2018).

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

The final grade consists of the rating of the report on the practical work (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 the knowledge of theoretical concepts, their understanding, and their correct application.
   

Work placement(s)

Nil

Organizational remarks

The two lectures on direct imaging are given by Dr. Absil, and the others by Dr. Gillon. 

Contacts

Dr. Michaël Gillon, EXOplanets in Transit: Identification and Characterization (EXOTIC) research group, ASTROBIOLOGY research unit, ULiege
Institut d'Astrophysique et de Géophysique, Bât B5C, Allée du 6 août, 19, 4000 Liège (Sart-Tilman), office -1/1
Phone: +32-(0)4 366 9743 E-mail : michael.gillon@uliege.be

Dr. Olivier Absil, Planetary & Stellar systems Imaging Laboratory (PSILab) research group, STAR research unit, ULiege
Institut d'Astrophysique et de Géophysique, Bât B5C, Allée du 6 août, 19, 4000 Liège (Sart-Tilman), office +2/19
Tél: +32-(0)4 366 9724 Courriel: olivier.absil@uliege.be  

Items online