The atmospheres of exoplanets
To understand the composition, evolution and dynamics of exoplanets a great tool is to study their atmospheres. For this, I develop simulation tools that can model the atmospheric chemistry and cloud formation on planets with different characteristics. We use these tools to analyse observations but also to simulate the expected performance of future telescopes. This way we can design the telescopes and instruments such that they give the most valuable information about exoplanet characteristics.
Exotic clouds
One of the focus areas of my research is the formation of atmospheric clouds. On Earth we have water clouds forming high up in the atmosphere. On planets with a different climate, these clouds will not be made of water, but of minerals, acids, salts or soot. Already from the Solar System planets we know that the variety of cloud species can be large, but the rich variety of exoplanet climates provides an even broader range of cloud properties. Observing these cloud properties under various extreme conditions will help us understand cloud formation and dynamics to a much more fundamental level.
Our place in the Universe
Is the Earth unique? Are the characteristics of the Solar System unique? How did these characteristics contribute to the Earth we now have, with life blooming all over it? These questions are the fundament of the research that I do. Each step is a small one in trying to come closer to answering these questions. For this I currently use the James Web Space Telescope (JWST) and will in the future also study the pieces of the puzzle provided by PLATO, Ariel and, in the further future, telescopes like the Habitable Worlds Observatory.
