The Fiery Fate of Exoplanets

Explore the fascinating fate of exoplanets as their host stars approach the end of their lives in this captivating lecture by Dr. Joleen Carlberg of the Space Telescope Science Institute. Delve into the phenomenon of planetary engulfment, where expanding stars swallow nearby planets, and learn about the observational clues left behind by these cosmic events. Discover the biases in exoplanet detection methods, the properties of known exoplanets, and the various scenarios of planet-swallowing events. Gain insights into stellar evolution, the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, red giant stars, and the physical processes involved in planetary engulfment. Examine the conservation of angular momentum, stellar pollution, rare elements, and the puzzling case of lithium in red giants. Investigate the Kepler mission's contributions to asteroseismology and our understanding of red giant planets, all while exploring the wider implications for our understanding of the universe.