When we started peering out into space in the search of planets outside the Solar System, so-called exoplanets, we expected to see exoplanet systems similar to the Solar Systems. As the tally of exoplanet detections has now surpassed 5,000, it is clear that we are seeing a diversity of system architectures beyond anything we could have imagined. This diversity is not only intriguing, but also challenges our ideas on how these systems form and evolve over time. During his PhD studies, Emil Knudstrup has explored the diversity of exoplanets through exciting new discoveries and in-depth characterization of exoplanary system architectures using both ground-based as well as space-borne observations.

These discoveries are key in informing new theories and expanding our knowledge on planetary formation and evolution, and in this way help explain why we are seeing such a large diversity of system architectures.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Tuesday, 21 March 2023 at 14:30
Place: Building 1525, room 626, Depart of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000
Title of PhD thesis: Starchitectures

Contact information: Emil Knudstrup, e-mail: emil@phys.au.dk, tel.: +45 61379272

Members of the assessment committee:
Senior Researcher Guðmundur Kári Stefánsson, Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, USA

Professor Sebastian Wolf, Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Kiel University, Germany

Associate Professor Karsten Riisager (chair), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Simon H. Albrecht, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Senior Researcher Mikkel N. Lund, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS,

Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.