Exoplanets

Cornell researchers are at the forefront of exoplanet science, using advanced observations and theoretical models to study the atmospheres, climates, composition and detection of planets orbiting distant stars.

Our work combines space- and ground-based observations with sophisticated multi-dimensional atmospheric modeling to understand how exoplanets form, evolve, and potentially support life. Cornell researchers play major roles in observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, which is transforming our ability to characterize alien worlds by detecting molecules such as water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, clouds, and hazes in exoplanet atmospheres. Current projects investigate the chemistry and weather of hot giant planets, warm Neptunes, the nature of rocky super-Earths, and the atmospheres of potentially habitable terrestrial worlds, while also developing new instruments and laboratory experiments to interpret these observations and guide the future of exoplanet exploration.

Related people

Image of Lili Alderson
Lili Alderson

Klarman Postdoctoral Fellow - CCAPS

Image of Ryan Challener
Ryan Challener

Research Associate - CCAPS

Image of Lisa Kaltenegger
Lisa Kaltenegger

Professor, Director of the Carl Sagan Institute

Image of Nikole Lewis
Nikole Lewis

Associate Professor of Astronomy

Image of Thomas Loredo
Thomas Loredo

Senior Research Associate, CCAPS

Image of Dmitry Savransky
Dmitry Savransky

Associate Professor

Image of Jacob Turner
Jacob Turner

Jansky Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory - CCAPS

All research areas

Astrobiology    Cosmic Origins and Evolution    Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics    Exoplanets    Solar System Exploration   
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