This edition of 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗽 takes us on a safari through the wild world of exoplanets — planets orbiting stars beyond our Solar System.
From giant planets in strange, tilted orbits to worlds so close to their stars that their atmospheres are boiling away, we’ll explore some of the most extreme planetary systems we expect to learn much more about very soon.

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿�Our guide for the evening is Silke Sofia Dainese, PhD researcher at the Stellar Astrophysics Centre, Aarhus University.�She studies stars and their planets using data from the European 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗮 mission, and is currently preparing for a major data release this December — which could reveal real-life Tatooines: planets orbiting two stars.

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝟭: 𝗘𝘅𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗶�We’ll take a tour of Jupiter-sized planets in all kinds of unexpected configurations — including planets orbiting over the poles of their stars, and “hot Jupiters” so close to their stars that they are literally evaporating.�How do planets end up in such unusual orbits? And what can they tell us about how planetary systems form and evolve?

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝟮: 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲�Using Gaia data, we’ll look at what tens of thousands of stars — including thousands of binary systems — can tell us about how stars influence their planets.
What kind of systems are we actually looking for if we want to find planets like Tatooine?�And how close are we to discovering a real-life world orbiting two suns?

As always, we’ll have our signature astro quiz — with stellar prizes for the winners.

We’ll wrap up with 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀, so you’re up to date on the latest happenings across the cosmos.

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵� 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 at 𝗧𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝗮 𝗻Ó𝗴�

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲! No reservations needed — but seating is limited, so arrive early.