Project description
Characterising exoplanet atmospheres using high-resolution spectroscopy
In the search for life beyond our solar system, astronomers have turned their eyes towards a planet that would be similar to ours. However, the ongoing search for a second Earth has revealed an astounding diversity in the population of planets orbiting other stars. The key to understanding this diversity lies in the study of their atmospheres, which holds vital information on exoplanet formation and evolution histories. The EU-funded exoZoo project will conduct the largest study of exoplanet atmospheres applying high-resolution spectroscopy, placing unprecedented constraints on the physical causes of exoplanet diversity. The researchers will study the light reflected from the exoplanet atmospheres. Furthermore, they will pioneer an innovative photometric monitoring technique to measure exoplanet rotation and detect giant storms.
Objective
The ongoing search for a second Earth has revealed an astounding diversity in the population of planets orbiting other stars. This eclectic zoo of other worlds shows little similarity with our own solar system. The key to understanding this diversity lies in exoplanet atmospheres, which hold vital information on their formation histories and evolutionary pathways. To access them, I propose three ambitious new windows into exoplanet characterization that will: i) Deliver the largest homogenous study of exoplanet atmospheres at high spectral resolution, and provide a novel framework that combines multi-resolution data to deliver precise atmospheric measurements. This will place unprecedented constraints on the physical causes of exoplanet diversity and is a game changer in understanding their origins. ii) Perform the first robust study of the reflective properties of exoplanet atmospheres at high spectral resolution, constraining their evolution and demonstrating how to interpret, and crucially, optimise high-resolution observations for the upcoming biomarker hunt with the extremely large telescopes. This may be our only way to characterize the nearest habitable worlds. iii) Pioneer an innovative photometric monitoring technique for exoplanet atmospheres and use it to measure their rotation, detect giant storms, and hunt for occulting moons to begin surveying their demographics. The achievement of these three main objectives will be a ground-breaking step forward in our understanding of exoplanets and Earth’s place amongst them, bringing us ever closer to answering the question: are we alone?
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.