Exploring the Architecture of Exoplanetary Systems | Faculty of Mathematics and Physics

With the launch of the KEPLER and TESS space missions, we have gained access to an unprecedented amount of high-quality data, leading to the discovery of thousands of planetary candidates. As of now, more than 5,000 exoplanets have been confirmed, signaling the beginning of a new era in our understanding of the architecture and evolution of planetary systems.

For much of history, our solar system was the only reliable framework for studying planetary systems. However, we now understand that our solar system is far from typical. Exoplanetary systems show remarkable diversity; some contain massive gas giants, while others have compact arrangements of smaller planets orbiting close to their host stars. Despite this knowledge, many questions remain: What drives this diversity? How do planetary systems evolve differently around stars of various spectral types?

This PhD project aims to explore these questions by investigating the architecture of exoplanetary systems around stars with a wide range of characteristics. The project will involve:

Data Analysis: Using data from TESS and, in the near future, the PLATO mission to identify and study planetary systems.

Spectroscopic Observations: Leveraging the PLATOSpec spectrograph to refine orbital and stellar parameters and search for long-period planets.

Scientific Goal: Uncover the key differences in planetary system formation and evolution processes across various stellar environments.

This research will provide a deeper understanding of how planetary systems form, evolve, and why they exhibit such extraordinary diversity. The student will develop expertise in cutting-edge techniques in exoplanet detection and characterization, preparing them for a career at the forefront of planetary science.

Literature:

[1] Kabath et al. 2022, MNRAS, 513, 4, 5955, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2205.01860
[2] Subjak et al. 2024, A&A, accepted, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.17532
[3] Mishra et al. 2023, A&A 670, A68, https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.02374