ExoFrontiers

Big questions in exoplanetary science

By (author) Nikku Madhusudhan Contributions by Scott Gaudi, Michael Meyer, Jessie Christiansen, Don Pollaco, George Ricker, Natalie Batalha, Magali Delieul, Debra Fischer, Sasha Hinkley, Arthur Vigan, Markus Kasper, Sascha Quanz, Sylvestre Lacour, Amaury Triaud, Drake Deming, Kevin Stevenson, David Ehrenreich, Matteo Brogi, Jayne Birkby, Aki Roberge, Avi Mandell, Karl Stapelfeldt, Heike Rauer, Luca Fossati, Peter McCullough, Ian Parry, Daniel Fabrycky, Ravit Helled, Alessandro Morbidelli, John Papaloizou, Ewine van Dishoeck, Edward Bergin, Mark Wyatt, Nadine Nettleman, Diana Valencia, Jonathan Fortney, Joanna Barstow Eberhardt, Julianne Moses, Adam Showman, Christiane Helling, Sergey Yurchenko, Jonathan Tennyson, James Kasting, Victoria Meadows, Sara Seager

Publication date:

25 October 2021

Length of book:

308 pages

Publisher

Institute Of Physics Publishing

Dimensions:

254x178mm
7x10"

ISBN-13: 9780750314701

This book is a compendium of key scientific questions, challenges, and opportunities across different areas of exoplanetary science. The field is currently experiencing rapid growth, and the book provides a front-row view of the advancements at the cutting-edge of the field. Each chapter contains a short exposition on the most important open questions, challenges, and opportunities in a specific area from the perspective of one or more top experts in the area. It provides a starting point for researchers, experts and non-experts alike, to obtain a quick overview of the forefront of exoplanetary science and a vision for the future of the field. Topics range from observational developments and techniques, including exoplanet detection and characterisation methods and state-of-the-art and future missions, to exoplanet theory and modelling including planet formation, planetary interiors, atmospheres, habitability and the search for life.

Key Features

Provides a close-up view of the frontiers of exoplanetary science research
Summarises key questions, challenges, and opportunities across different areas of the field
Written by leading experts in the field
Provides a valuable reference for early career researchers
Topics span from state-of-the-art and emerging areas to long-term future directions

Preface

Part I: Introduction 1. The Exoplanetary Landscape

Part II: Exoplanetary Detection and Spectroscopy 2. The Demographics of Exoplanets 3. Transit Surveys 4. Radial Velocity Surveys 5. Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy 6. Small Star Opportunities 7. Transit Spectroscopy 8. High-resolution Spectroscopy 9. Space Missions for Exoplanet Science 10. Small Satellites for Exoplanet Science

Part III: Exoplanetary Theory and Characterisation 11. Orbital Dynamics and Architectures of Exoplanets 12. Planet Formation 13. Planetary Migration 14. Astrochemistry and Planet Formation 15. Debris Disks 16. Exoplanetary Interiors 17. Atmospheric Modeling and Retrieval 18. Atmospheric Chemistry 19. Atmospheric Dynamics 20. Clouds in Exoplanetary Atmospheres 21. Atomic and Molecular Line data

Part IV: Habitability and Biosignatures 22. Exoplanetary Habitability 23. Exoplanetary Astrobiology

Part V: New Horizons 24. The Search for Spectroscopic Signs of Life

The book is probably indispensable for libraries in institutions where astronomical research is carried out, and many advanced researchers may find it an essential source of information too. It seems tome that the wide range of material is very thoroughly covered, is very up to date, and carries a great sense of the excitement in this field.

Peter J. Bussey, CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS, December 2022