Report - School of Physics
Report - School of Physics
Report - School of Physics
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
and their suitability for supporting life such pitfalls can be rather embarrassing and<br />
damaging to the credibility <strong>of</strong> the field. In order to assess the current situation<br />
properly, further consultation will be needed between the astronomical community<br />
and the relevant atomic and molecular physics community involved in the laboratory<br />
work. Links between these communities are also being investigated in the context<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Virtual Observatory.<br />
4.7.2 Fundamental Planetary Data<br />
The solar system research community has the best knowledge <strong>of</strong> the only planetary<br />
system studied in detail, with extensive data archives like the Planetary Data System<br />
(PDS). For extra-solar planet research full use <strong>of</strong> that information must be made<br />
without being limited by it. Most <strong>of</strong> the planetary systems found so far are quite<br />
different from ours. Items <strong>of</strong> particular relevance might be: (i) distribution <strong>of</strong> minor<br />
bodies and dust, relevant for zodiacal light; (ii) mass radius relation for various kinds<br />
<strong>of</strong> planets; (iii) reflective properties <strong>of</strong> different planetary surfaces (gaseous/solid,<br />
rock/ice) in particular integrated over the sphere (and thus the influence <strong>of</strong> weather);<br />
(iv) spectral signatures <strong>of</strong> planetary atmospheres; (v) mass-loss from atmospheres;<br />
documented by planetary probes for Mars, indication for mass loss has also been<br />
found in HST observations <strong>of</strong> the transit <strong>of</strong> HD 209458; (vi) signatures <strong>of</strong> volcanism,<br />
like SO 2 (cf. Earth and Io).<br />
Scientific results on solar system bodies and extra-solar planets are presented at<br />
various conferences <strong>of</strong> both communities, which in part have already established<br />
‘cross-discipline’ sessions to support the exchange <strong>of</strong> knowledge between the two<br />
fields (e.g., the EGU and DPS). ESO and ESA might consider fostering the exchange<br />
<strong>of</strong> information and collaboration by organising joint cross-disciplinary workshops,<br />
including ESA’s Earth observation community. Such dedicated workshops could<br />
aim at the specific needs <strong>of</strong> extra-solar planet research and serve to define the needs<br />
for further observations <strong>of</strong> solar system bodies (e.g., atmospheres <strong>of</strong> planets and<br />
moons). In addition, building a data base collecting, for example, the spectra on<br />
planets, moons and minor bodies in our solar system as a reference for extra-solar<br />
planets could be discussed within both communities at such dedicated meetings.<br />
4.7.3 Amateur Networks<br />
As described above, thousands <strong>of</strong> candidate planets will be discovered by ongoing<br />
surveys both from the ground and in space. Follow-up <strong>of</strong> all these candidates will be<br />
essential in order to verify their existence and to derive additional information about<br />
their properties. Observations <strong>of</strong> transits in particular will be valuable for candidates<br />
found by radial velocity or astrometric measurements. Dedicated (groups <strong>of</strong>)<br />
amateurs with state <strong>of</strong> the art equipment at reasonably large (>60 cm) telescopes<br />
could contribute in this area. The AAVSO is already calling on its observers to<br />
69