So far more than 5000 exoplanets – planets outside our solar system – have been discovered. With the recent start of science operations with JWST, in addition to the observations from ground-based telescopes, detailed atmospheric characterization of exoplanets is imminent. These past and upcoming discoveries will place the solar system in the context of planetary environments that are alien to our own. In particular, the search for bio- and technosignatures will enter into a new era, where humanity’s  oldest question “Are we alone in this Universe?” will no longer be a rhetorical question, but may finally be answerable in the near future.

The goal of this conference is to take advantage of diverse expertise in exoplanets that exists both in India and abroad, promote collaborations to develop modeling tools and properly interpret the incoming data, and seek partnerships between institutions to develop high impact science. The would encompass a diverse range of topics, including:

• Planetary formation
• Dynamical evolution of exoplanets
• Planetary interiors and surfaces
• Star-planet interactions
• Exoplanet detection techniques and demographics
• Planetary atmospheres and their evolution
• Habitability and Origin of life
• Bio- and technosignature detection

To facilitate interdisciplinary conversations, the conference will include both oral presentations and poster sessions, with significant time devoted for discussions. Each oral session will include a few talks (~2 or 3) with sufficient time for Q&A (~30 minutes to an hour).

The conference dates are from  August 17-19, 2023 at IISER Pune. We particularly encourage early career scientists, and under represented groups to participate in the workshop. The attendance is limited to ~100  participants to maximize the connections. 

Registration deadline is April 28, 2023 and accommodation information will be conveyed in the coming months.

Chairs and Co-chairs

Liton Majumdar, NISER-Bhubaneswar

Joe Ninan, TIFR-Mumbai

Prabal Saxena, NASA Goddard

 

Scientific Organising Committee

Vishal Gajjar, UC Berkeley/SETI Institute

Jayesh Goyal, NISER-Bhubaneswar

Ajit Kembhavi, PKC-IUCAA

Ravi Kopparapu, NASA Goddard

Dibyendu Nandi, IISER Kolkata

Shyama Narendranath, ISRO-Bangalore

Manoj Puravankara, TIFR-Mumbai

Sivarani Thirupathi, IIA-Bangalore

Sourav Chatterjee, TIFR-Mumbai

 

Local Organising Committee

Joy Monteiro, IISER Pune

Sudha Rajamani, IISER Pune