Research group The group for stars, planets and astrobiology
The birth and evolution of stars and planetary systems are central to understanding how our Universe, including our own Solar System, came to be.
Spectrum of the exoplanet HR 8799 c. Image credit: ESO/M. Janson
Research in the group spans the full lifecycle of stars and planetary systems.
Our planetary systems research focuses on the formation and evolution of planets and circumstellar discs around both young and old stars. Using adaptive optics imaging and high-resolution spectroscopy, we study faint planets and discs in the vicinity of bright stars and characterise their physical properties. We are also involved in space missions such as CHEOPS and PLATO, which detect planets through the transit method, as well as developing astrometric techniques that reveal planets through their subtle gravitational influence on their host stars.
On the stellar side, we investigate the physics and evolution of stars through observations and numerical modelling, with particular emphasis on radiative transfer, stellar spectroscopy, and the origin of the elements. We also contribute to large spectroscopic surveys such as GALAH, WEAVE, and 4MOST, using the chemical compositions and motions of millions of stars to trace the formation and evolution of the Milky Way.
There are no research project connections.