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Like star, like planet
One of the patterns emerging from the thousands of exoplanets that astronomers have discovered to date, is that the larger planets often orbit more massive stars. The reason behind it was unknown. A new study led by scientists at the University of Zurich, and members associated with the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) […]
Continue ReadingUnique exoplanet photobombs CHEOPS study of nearby star system
While studying two exoplanets in a bright nearby star system, the CHEOPS satellite has unexpectedly spotted the system’s third known planet crossing the face of the star. This transit reveals exciting details about a rare planet “with no known equivalent”, as the scientific team led by the Universities of Geneva and Bern, and members of […]
Continue ReadingLehrperson Volksschule Sekundarstufe 1 (80% für drei Monate*)
Das Stellarium Gornergrat ist das erste pädagogische Teleskop in der Schweiz und in dieser Art einzigartig in Europa. Das Projekt wird von der Universität Bern geleitet und von weiteren Partnern unterstützt. Unsere Ziele sind, die Faszination für Astronomie und Weltraum zu fördern und ein pädagogisches Programm für Lernende, Lehrende, Studierende und die breite Öffentlichkeit unter […]
Continue ReadingScientists detect signatures of life remotely
It could be a milestone on the path to detecting life on other planets: Scientists under the leadership of the University of Bern and of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS detect a key molecular property of all living organisms from a helicopter flying several kilometers above ground. The measurement technology could […]
Continue ReadingImpulse programme «Swiss Innovation Power»
Innosuisse co-funds innovation projects that companies and private and public institutions conduct jointly with research partners in Switzerland. Conditions for companies (called implementation partners) for projects have been relaxed due to the Covid, from January 2021 until the end of 2022. Eased financial terms for innovation projects are intended to help SMEs maintain their innovative […]
Continue Reading“Science fiction writers imagine similar things to scientists”
The relationship between science and science fiction has changed significantly in recent years. And they influence each other, as Dr. Zoë Lehmann Imfeld, a literary expert on science fiction from the University of Zurich, told PlanetS in an interview. Astronomers discover new planets far out in space. And they are delivering fascinating research results on […]
Continue Reading“I just became incredibly tough”
At the age of 32, Judit Szulágyi convinced the European Research Council to fund her research on planet and moon formation. With that, she also takes over leadership of a PlanetS project. Even though her fast track career makes it seem so, getting this far was not always easy. As most, Judit Szulágyi currently works […]
Continue ReadingEditorial
Dear Reader In this issue of the Observer, we wished to be closer and more personal than usual. In particular, we would like to introduce the people responsible for the day-to-day operations of our CHEOPS satellite. Their daily work, essentially from home during this pandemic time, provides the rest of us with a stream of […]
Continue ReadingWhat PlanetS scientists think about science fiction
Scientists who like science fiction. A no-go? Or perhaps the opposite? We talked to five scientists from the NCCR PlanetS about their relationship with science fiction and how they assess the influence of science on science fiction and vice versa. Dr. Vincent Bourrier Assistant Professor, Observatoire de Genève, Département d’Astronomie, Université de Genève What […]
Continue ReadingWhat’s out there? – UniPress in space
More than 4000 planets have already been discovered since Michel Major and Didier Queloz tracked down the first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star in 1995 – triggering a revolution in astronomy. With the National Center of Competence in Research NCCR PlanetS, Switzerland is at the forefront of this adventure, as the current issue of the […]
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