Trinity astrophysicist to study Exoplanet Weather
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Sep 06, 2024
Dr. Johanna Vos has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to conduct research on the weather systems of distant extrasolar planets located deep within the galaxy.

Her project, titled 'Exometeorology: Probing Extrasolar Atmospheres (Exo-PEA)', aims to investigate the complex atmospheres of extrasolar worlds. Over the last 30 years, astronomers have identified thousands of planets outside our solar system. These planets range from small rocky types to gas giants, and even isolated free-floating worlds. Observations have already revealed that these alien atmospheres are diverse, supporting a range of dynamic weather processes.

The recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) marks a new era in the study of these atmospheres, providing highly detailed observations that offer deeper insights into these worlds. This cutting-edge technology allows for a more detailed exploration of the atmospheric phenomena on these planets.

Dr. Vos has secured three observing programs with the JWST as Principal Investigator (PI), which form the foundation of her ERC-funded research. By merging the data collected from JWST with advanced computational methods and data-driven approaches, her team will uncover the key atmospheric processes that drive the weather on giant exoplanets.

"I am honored to have been awarded this ERC Starting Grant and for the opportunity to expand the breadth and scope of research in my group. This funding will allow me to build a team that will make use of ground-breaking data from JWST to provide key insights into the atmospheres of worlds beyond our solar system," said Dr. Vos, Assistant Professor in Trinity's School of Physics.

The ERC Starting Grants are part of the European Union's Horizon Europe program. They offer promising scientists, who are within seven years of completing their PhD, the funding necessary to develop their most innovative ideas. Additionally, the grant enables recipients to expand their research teams over the five-year period of the funded project.

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