Confirmation of Candidature - Candidate : Alex Venner

Giant exoplanets like Jupiter are the dominant members of their planetary systems. While a great deal is now known about those giant planets that orbit close to their stars, less is known about those on widely-separated, long-period orbits ($P>5$~yr), as these are more challenging to detect. However, it is thought that it is at these separations where giant planets originally form, so robust understanding of the mechanisms of planet formation and evolution entails a comprehensive understanding of these planets. Much of our current knowledge of long-period giant planets comes from radial velocity surveys, with supporting information coming from direct imaging, transits, and microlensing; however, each of these methods come with limitations. 

In this PhD project I aim to demonstrate the current and near-future potential of astrometry for studying long-period giant planets. Astrometry provides deep sensitivity to orbiting companions, especially at long orbital periods; new discoveries will expand our knowledge of long-period giant planets to new areas of parameter space. This will greatly enrich our understanding of the far reaches of exoplanetary systems.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 311088.