Exploring new frontiers in exoplanetary science with JWST

by Dr Néstor Espinoza (Space Telescope Science Institute - Johns Hopkins University)

Thursday 28 Sept 2023, 10:30 → 11:30 Europe/Stockholm

FB42 (AlbaNova Main Building)

The scientific results from the first year of scientific operations of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has delivered the promise: it is humanity's sharpest eye to look at the infrared Universe. From being able to detect the faint light of the first galaxies to being able to characterize the atmospheres of Earth-sized worlds, the observatory's unique capabilities is allowing it to perform a wide range of exciting science, that is already changing our perspectives on how we understand our Universe. In this talk, I will introduce the new frontiers JWST is exploring in the field of exoplanetary science during this very first year of scientific operations, with a special focus on transiting exoplanets. Through some early results on new dimensions being explored for gas giant exoplanets, as well as prospects for the first looks at the atmospheres and surfaces of small, rocky exoplanets, I will show how JWST is changing our understanding of planetary systems in the cosmos, and how this could allow us to put our own Solar System in this exoplanetary context.