ExoFrontiers

This book is a compendium of key scientific questions, challenges, and opportunities across different areas of exoplanetary science. 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.

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