News
PostDoc position in early solar system studies – University of Bern
The Physics Institute and the Institute for Geology, both at the University of Bern invite applications for a Postdoctoral fellowship in the field of early solar system chronology and noble gas cosmochemistry. The proposed project, which is funded within the NCCR PlanetS program, aims at dating chondrules from primitive meteorites using the 26Al-26Mg dating system. […]
Continue ReadingPhD Position – University of Bern
The CSH is a multi-disciplinary center for scientists working on the formation, detection and characterization of other worlds, the definition of life and our search for it elsewhere in the Universe. It is home to astronomers, atmospheric, climate and planetary researchers, geologists and geophysicists, biologists, chemists and philosophers. PHD POSITION IN ASTROCHEMISTRY, STAR AND PLANET […]
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“Switzerland is a space nation!”
The research satellite CHEOPS was developed jointly by the University of Bern and the European Space Agency ESA. At an event at RUAG in Zurich on 27 August 2018, representatives of the institutions involved in its construction visited the satellite. Among the speakers and guests were Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, Jan Wörner, Director General of […]
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Jupiter had growth disorders
Researchers of the Universities of Bern and Zürich and of ETH Zürich show how Jupiter was formed. Data collected from meteorites had indicated that the growth of the giant planet had been delayed for two million years. Now the researchers have found an explanation: Collisions with kilometer-sized blocks generated high energy, which meant that in […]
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New comet models thanks to “Chury” data
The MiARD project (Multi-instrument Analysis of Rosetta Data) was a 30-month international research project led by the University of Bern to make the best use of the vast amount of data produced by the Rosetta mission. The most important results, models and an artistic project on MiARD have now been presented. The Rosetta spacecraft has […]
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“If a theory persists under pressure, then it’s good”
When the NASA science director comes to Bern, a full lecture hall is guaranteed. This was naturally the case on Tuesday, 21 August, when Thomas Zurbuchen gave a lecture entitled “On the Shore of the Cosmic Ocean”. The title of Zurbuchen’s talk was based on this well-known quotation by the astronomer Carl Sagan: “The surface […]
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Reconciling Philosophical Tensions Within Exoplanet Science
By Kevin Heng PlanetS is forcing the unification of several schools of thoughts that are traditionally distinct, even if they share common interests. The study of planets within and beyond our Solar System is a topic that both planetary scientists and astronomers agree is immensely fascinating. From a distance, it appears as if these scientists exist as […]
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A taste of the Andes from Geneva
Following the discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995, the Department of Astronomy of the University of Geneva built and installed the Euler telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in 1998. This 1.2m diameter telescope is connected to the high-resolution spectrograph CORALIE, whose software instantly computes precise radial velocities of observed stars in order to […]
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Ask the NCCR
Do you want to know more about PlanetS, its organization, structure, options, prospects or limitations? After this year’s General Assembly and some subsequent discussions, we thought that a number of issues might not be clear and asked you to send us all these questions you have about the NCCR that you never had a chance […]
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“A degree in physics opens many doors”
Many young researchers are concerned about their professional future. The newsletter InsiderS by the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS presents physicists who have made a career outside the university. Bettina Zahnd is head of Accident Research and Prevention at the AXA Insurance Group in Winterthur. “Those who have studied physics have many abilities: […]
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