Extrasolar Planetary Systems

by Professor Michel MAYOR (Dept of Astronomy, University of Geneva and Director of the Geneva Observato

Thursday 22 Nov 2001, 16:30 → 17:30 Europe/Zurich

500/1-001 - Main Auditorium (CERN)

Over the last six years more than 70 exoplanets have been discovered. Some systems have also been detected with two or three gaseous giant planets. These discoveries have not only proven the existence of extrasolar planetary systems, they have revealed the unexpected diversity of these systems. Statistical properties of planetary systems are still entached by important detection bias. However the distributions of orbital elements and the mass function for the detected companions already suggest a lot of questions on formation mechanisms as well as the evolution of planetary systems. A significant fraction of new planets have orbits with quite small semi-major axis (a < 0.05 AU). These 'Hot Jupiters' offer several opportunities for interesting complementary measurements. As an example, the observation of a planetary transit in front of a solar-type star has allowed for the first time, the measurement of the radius and mean density of an exoplanet. We will discuss new techniques and domains where progress is expected.

Organiser(s): Daniel Treille / EP Division

Note: Tea & coffee will be served at 16.00 hrs.