Lines of research: Exoplanetary Systems & Solar System (SEYSS)

Exoplanetary Systems & Solar System (SEYSS)

The area of planetary and solar systems involves several research groups working on Exoplanets, Solar System and Cultural Astronomy. Our main objectives are:

  • The detection and characterization of giant and rocky planets around nearby stars using the most advanced instruments (CARMENES, ESPRESSO, HARPS Norte y Sur, SONG, LCO, MUSCAT2) and space missions (CoRoT, Kepler K2, CHEOPS, TESS and PLATO). The group is particularly interested in the study of terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of their host stars where water can be in liquid form.
  • The characterization of the atmospheres of planets to know their structure and composition, both by transits and direct imaging, using ground-based telescopes such as GTC and space missions such as CHEOPS.
  • Investigate the formation of exoplanet systems by studying the chemical composition of planet host stars, and the dynamical evolution of exoplanets at their early stages of formation.
  • Study the physical properties of different families of minor bodies of the Solar System (asteroids, comets, trans-neptunian objects, etc.) to understand the origin and evolution of Solar System with GTC and space missions such as OSIRIS-REx.
  • The study of ancient cosmologies through cultural astronomy and the defense of cultural heritage through the astronomy.
  • Publication
    HD 22496 b: The first ESPRESSO stand-alone planet discovery
    Context. The ESPRESSO spectrograph is a new powerful tool developed to detect and characterize extrasolar planets. Its design allows an unprecedented radial...
  • Publication
    HD 23472: a multi-planetary system with three super-Earths and two potential super-Mercuries
    Context. Comparing the properties of planets orbiting the same host star, and thus formed from the same accretion disc, helps in constraining theories of...
  • Publication
    HD 89345: a bright oscillating star hosting a transiting warm Saturn-sized planet observed by K2
    We report the discovery and characterization of HD 89345b (K2-234b; EPIC 248777106b), a Saturn-sized planet orbiting a slightly evolved star. HD 89345 is a...
  • Publication
    He I λ 10 830 Å in the transmission spectrum of HD209458 b
    Context. Recently, the He I triplet at 10 830 Å was rediscovered as an excellent probe of the extended and possibly evaporating atmospheres of close-in...
  • News
    Heaviest element yet detected in an exoplanet atmosphere
    An international team of astronomers, in which IAC researchers participate, have discovered barium, the heaviest element ever found in an exoplanet atmosphere...
  • Publication
    Heavy Element Nucleosynthesis in the Brightest Galactic Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars
    We present updated calculations of stellar evolutionary sequences and detailed nucleosynthesis predictions for the brightest asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars...
  • News
    Heavy metal planet fragment survives destruction from dead star
    Researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL) have discovered the remains of a planet inside a disc of...
  • Publication
    Heavy-element Abundances in P-rich Stars: A New Site for the s-process?
    The recently discovered phosphorus-rich stars pose a challenge to stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis theory, as none of the existing models can explain their...
  • Publication
    Heavy-element yields and abundances of asymptotic giant branch models with a Small Magellanic Cloud metallicity
    We present new theoretical stellar yields and surface abundances for asymptotic giant branch (AGB) models with a metallicity appropriate for stars in the Small...