Growing Worlds

Explore the dark side of stars with Dr Mayuko Mori, a postdoctoral researcher at the Astrobiology Centre in Tokyo. Listen as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Mayuko about star spots and their significance in exoplanet characterisation. These cooler, darker areas on the surface of a star can lead to potentially misleading discoveries, and therefore, expanding our understanding is crucial for enhancing our knowledge of other worlds. However, it is not just for the pros! Dr Mori calls out to amateur astronomers to get involved in star-spot research. Tune in to discover more about these dark areas of stars, what they mean for exoplanet observations and how you can get involved!

Join us for a deep dive inside stars as hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Dr. Gael Buldgen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liège. Gael studies stellar oscillations and probes the internal structure of stars with exquisite precision. He enlightens us about the intricate connection between stars and their exoplanets, capturing the importance of understanding stellar properties for characterising distant worlds. Listen as Gael explains his fascinating view of stars as natural laboratories, with the Sun being ours.

Explore the diversity of rocky planets with Dr Oliver Herbort, an Ariel Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Vienna. Hosts Jeni and Lorenzo chat with Oliver about what makes each planet unique, from atmospheric chemistry to the nature of its surface.  Oliver reflects on how a lifelong fascination with astronomy led him to study rocky exoplanets, developing models that link atmospheric processes with the composition of planetary surfaces. Prepare to expect the unexpected. From carbon planets to lava worlds, this episode invites you to rethink what a planetary landscape can look like.