Welcome to the “refreshed” GPC Colloquium series! We are now restarting the Colloquium series within GPC (Gothenburg Physics Centre) but in a different format and place – the Faculty at Wijkanders. Local and non-local speakers will bring you new insights from the many facets of Physics, and there will be ample possibilities to mingle with your colleagues afterwards.
SPEAKER: Carina Persson, the Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers
TITLE: The exoplanet revolution
ABSTRACT: The exoplanet revolution started almost 30 years ago with a shocking discovery of a completely new type of planet that was soon followed by further discoveries. The unexpected diversity of exoplanets led to new insights into planet formation. A zoo with new types of planets has been discovered: super-Earths, mini-gas planets, water worlds, ice worlds, lava worlds, ultra-short period planets and hot Jupiters among others. While the diversity is great, so far no planet similar to Earth has been found and no planetary system similar to ours. The Holy Grail to find out if there are other planets like the Earth out there will soon be within reach with upcoming space missions.