Chair of Theoretical Astrophysics of Extrasolar Planets

The Munich Exoplanet Chair (sub-department) works broadly on the theory, observation, simulation and phenomenology of exoplanets with a strong focus on understanding their atmospheres. Within the Chair, we have expertise in exoplanetary atmospheres (chemistry, dynamics, radiative transfer, Bayesian inference methods), astrochemistry, disk chemistry and exoplanet observations (using both ground- and space-based telescopes). The Chair is part of the mission consortium of the ARIEL space telescope of the European Space Agency (ESA).

Team meetings (including visitors) and LinkedIn

  • LinkedIn Page: Munich Center for Geoastronomy (MCG)

Research Groups

General theory and phenomenology of exoplanetary atmospheres

Senior Scientists: Prof. Dr. Kevin Heng

Students: Matthias Heim

Planet formation theory, astrochemistry of protoplanetary disks and planetary atmospheres

Senior Scientists: Dr. Alex Cridland

Students: Hafvid Fachrizza, Kazim Furkan Kurt, Sophie Lange, Marie-Louise Nielsen

Exoplanet observations & modelling, precise radial velocities, planet interiors, stellar activity, young planets

Senior Scientists: Dr. Louise Nielsen, Dr. David Cont

Studenten: Keith Baka, Yutong Liu, Jebraan Mudholkar, Luis Thomas

Exoplanets, geodynamics, geochemistry, petrology

Senior Scientists: Dr. Meng Tian

Students: Ziqi Wang, Aaron Werlen

Project Manager: David Cont

Chief Engineer: Frank Grupp

Miscellaneous

News from the Munich Exoplanet Chair

Recent Publications

  • Recent study led by USM scientists Luis Thomas, Louise Nielsen and Alex Cridland (in collaboration with Lorena Acuña-Aguirre from MPIA, Heidelberg) reveals a potential gap in 'how gaseous' giant exoplanets are, separating Neptune-like planets from bona fide gas giants (such as Saturn and Jupiter). This gap is a likely result of runaway gas accretion, where the Hydrogen/Helium envelope either exceeds the mass of the planet-core and subsequently enters a phase of rapid growth. Planets that never reach this critical envelope mass fraction of ~50% turn out closer to our Neptune in nature.

Members

Keith Baka

PhD Student

Bethany Burt

PhD Student

David Cont

Fraunhofer-Schwarzschild Postdoctoral Fellow

Alex Cridland

Staff Scientist

Hafvid Fachrizza

Master Student

Matthias Heim

Master Student

Kazim Furkan Kurt

Master Student

Sophie Lange

Master Student

Yutong Liu

Master Student

Jebraan Mudholkar

Masters Student

Louise Nielsen

Staff Scientist & Fraunhofer-Schwarzschild Fellow

Marie-Louise Lykke Nielsen

Master Student

Jim Shih

PhD student

Meng Tian

Staff Scientist

Ziqi Wang

PhD Student

Aaron Werlen

PhD Student

Wenbo Zang

PhD Student