es2532 — Organisation Release
How do Exoplanets differ from planets in our solar system?
Join this Kosmische Kino about foreign worlds around faraway stars
15 September 2025
In this Kosmisches Kino, David Cont from the LMU University Observatory takes us on a journey into the fascinating world of exoplanets. He will show us how observations with large telescopes in Chile are helping to decipher the conditions in their atmospheres.
Planets outside our solar system, so-called exoplanets, were first discovered around 30 years ago. Since then, the field of exoplanet research has developed rapidly. Today, more than 6,000 such alien worlds are known, ranging from gas giants to Earth-like rocky planets. These discoveries have fundamentally changed our view of the universe: Exoplanets appear to be ubiquitous in the universe, making the existence of worlds with life-friendly conditions beyond our Earth is quite likely.
Current research is no longer limited to simply finding exoplanets. With telescopes like the Very Large Telescope in Chile, it is now possible to study their atmospheres and measure temperature, chemical composition, and even winds. These observations provide valuable clues about the formation of planetary systems, including our own solar system. Currently, these studies primarily focus on large gas planets, similar to Jupiter. The study of Earth-like exoplanets will soon be within reach with the next generation of a new class of telescopes, such as the Extremely Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory.
This event will be held in German. Since it is a live talk, there will be no translation available. The ESO Supernova will remain open until the start of the event for visitors, who can explore the exhibition at any time or watch a planetarium show before the event starts at 19:00.
More information
What is Kosmisches Kino?
Kosmisches Kino (Cosmic Cinema) takes visitors into the breathtaking depths of space. Researchers from the ORIGINS Cluster of Excellence will accompany you on your journey through the cosmos with selected excerpts from planetarium films and an associated lecture.
Sit back and marvel. Want to know more? Just ask! Kosmisches Kino events take place under the dome of the planetarium. They offer all visitors, no prior knowledge required, an atmospheric insight into the world of research and provide you with new perspectives. At the end of the event, the researchers answer questions from the audience.
The lecture series Kosmisches Kino is a collaboration between ESO and the ORIGINS Cluster of Excellence and presents current research topics. The ORIGINS Excellence Cluster combines astrophysics, particle physics and biophysics to investigate the formation of the universe and the origin of life. The lectures address exciting questions that current research is investigating: Is there a common thread connecting the Big Bang with the origin of life? How do you measure radiation from space and its effect on humans? Where and how do planets and stars form? What is Dark Matter? What are the building blocks of life on Earth and do they exist elsewhere in space? These and many other questions will be addressed over the course of the event series.
Admission to the approximately one-hour-long evening event with planetarium visualisations, a live lecture and open discussion costs 6.50 Euros per person. Events are aimed at people aged 12 years and over.
Links
- Book your tickets for Foreign worlds around faraway stars: How do they differ from planets in our solar system?
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Contacts
ESO Supernova Planetarium & Besucherzentrum
Garching bei München
Tel: 08932006900
Email: supernova@eso.org
About the Release
| Release No.: | es2532 |
