25 February: Ryan MacDonald

Speaker: Ryan MacDonald (University of St Andrews)

Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026

Time: 15:00

Location: Physics 3.29 (Access Grid)

The Diversity of Worlds Revealed by JWST

Exoplanets are far more diverse than the planets in our solar system. A vast phase space of possible atmospheric conditions exists, from highly irradiated ultra-hot giant planets to frigid worlds around long dead stars. These worlds require detailed spectral investigation to uncover their secrets. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has opened new possibilities in the characterisation of exoplanet atmospheres, including first looks at temperate worlds in the habitable zone, revealing these diverse worlds in unprecedented detail.

In this seminar, Dr Ryan MacDonald (Lecturer in Extrasolar Planets at the University of St Andrews) will present several highlights from the exotic exoplanets being revealed by JWST. He will describe how we measure properties of transiting exoplanets, and offer previews of new upcoming exoplanet atmosphere results.