Circumbinary Planets as Tools in Astrophysics


Monday, 17 August 2015 9 a.m. — 10 a.m. MST

AURA Lecture Hall

NOIRLab South Colloquia
DAVID MARTIN (Geneva Observatory and NOAO South Visiting Astronomer)

Circumbinary planets are undoubtedly interesting objects in their own regard. However, they can also shed light on broader questions in planetary and stellar physics. I will demonstrate this by presenting the following:

1) The observational trends seen to date and what they tell us

2) A link between circumbinary planets and the formation and evolution of the closest binaries

3) Some inherent observational advantages of circumbinary planets

4) Future prospects for circumbinary detections