Exoplanets and the Earth-Moon system

Author: Sebastián Ferrer Martínez
Date of publication: Pamplona, 21 January 2014

Professor Sebastián Ferrer Martínez, is Full Professor of applied mathematics at the School of Computer Science of the University of Murcia. He coordinates a group of research on orbital dynamics of natural and artificial bodies in the Solar System.

summarySince the end of the last century, when planetary systems accompanying stars close to the Sun were discovered, the number of observed exoplanets has been growing steadily, with more than a thousand confirmed exoplanets. In this new stage of astronomy, the issue goal is to select those in the habitable zone, defined in comparison with our solar system.
After a historical note on the role of planets in culture, the speaker will present the results of some recent programs of study on this topic. It will highlight the diversity of factors, particularly dynamic ones, that make life on Earth possible.
Astrobiology is the new branch that addresses these questions. It is sample as an example of interdisciplinary approach that should be present in the teaching and research of natural sciences today.