Syllabus
1. History of search for exoplanets. Precise radial velocity measurements and what preceded the discovery of the 51 Peg b.
2. Methods of detection of exoplanets – spectroscopy and radial velocities, photometry, eclipses and direct imaging, the role of adaptive optics
3. Which detection methods are most successful? How to combine them the most efficient way?
4. The role of space missions
5. Instrumentations used for detection of exoplanets
6. Exoplanets and statistics
7. Mass and radius diagram of exoplanets
8. Exoplanetary systems and their evolution (and brown dwarfs)
9. Characterisation of exoplanetary atmospheres
10. Exoplanets and habitability
11. Influence of host stars on exoplanets
12. What can we expect on the field of exoplanetary research – discussion One lecture will be held in Ondřejov and an observing session can be arranged for interested students
Annotation
This lecture series will offer an introduction into exoplanetary research. We will start with historical overview and then go to description of methods to detect exoplanets.
We will also describe the most modern instrumentation used to detect and characterize exoplanets. In the second half of the series, various types of exoplanets will be described along with the introduction into formation theories.
The lecture will end with an outlook into open topics in exoplanetary research.