On Friday, 22 May 2026, scientists from the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS will meet at the Kursaal in Bern to celebrate the achievements and successes of […]
NCCR PlanetS
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Laser-based Mass Spectrometry For The Detection Of Signatures Of Life Within Our Solar System
The search for signatures of life beyond Earth has been a major goal of space research and astrobiology for decades. The combination of expanded knowledge on Solar System bodies from […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Io, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Status Report, Triton, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Active Moons In Our Solar System And Beyond — Io, Europa, Enceladus, Triton, and Exomoons
The outgassing signatures of Io, Europa, Enceladus, Triton, and Io-like exomoons are the focus of this review chapter. The rocky volcanic world of Io is unique in our Solar System, […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Ice Giant, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Origin And Characterization Of Super-Earths And Sub-Neptunes
Super-Earths and sub-Neptunes represent the most common class of exoplanets discovered to date in our galaxy, yet they have no direct analogues in the Solar System. Since 2014, researchers within […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
NCCR PlanetS: Observational And Computational Characterization Of Exoplanet Atmospheres
This chapter reviews the current state of observational and theoretical efforts in the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres, with a focus on developments enabled through the Swiss National Centre for Competence […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Recent Development In High-precision High-fidelity Spectrographs For Exoplanet Research And Characterization
High-precision high-fidelity spectrographs are the most powerful instruments for exoplanets detection and characterization. The sub-m/s radial-velocity precision, required to detect Earth-mass exoplanets, necessitates tackling all the sources of instrumental and […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Stellar Cartography
Long-period Transiting Exoplanets: Advances In Detection And Characterization
Most detected transiting planets have orbits which would fit within the one of Mercury, exposing them to intense stellar irradiation and interactions that significantly alter their properties.
Posted inAstrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report
Dust Processing in Protoplanetary Discs From Infall to Dispersal: the Origin of Solar System Isotopic Heterogeneities
The nucleosynthetic heterogeneity between different asteroids and planets is well established. These isotopic variations manifest themselves at the part per millions level or larger, in isotopes that were synthesised in […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Astrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Machine Learning As A Transformative Tool for (Exo-)Planetary Science
The exploration of planetary bodies in our Solar system and beyond relies on the processing and interpretation of large, spatio-temporally inconsistent, and heterogeneous datasets.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Climates Of Terrestrial Exoplanets And Biosignatures
Understanding the climates of terrestrial exoplanets and the detectability of biosignatures is an inherently interdisciplinary challenge, requiring the integration of insights from Solar System exploration, exoplanet observations and climate science. […]