The PLATO Mission Conference 2021: Exploring exoplanets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars will be held from 11 to 15 October 2021 as an online event. This conference aims to present the status of the PLATO mission to the community, both in terms of satellite development and scientific preparation, and to bring together experts working on observations and theory associated with any of the PLATO science objectives.

The major themes of the Conference are:

• PLATO development status
• Selection of the PLATO sky fields and the PLATO Input Catalogue
• Light-curve analysis for detection and characterisation of long-period small planets
• Asteroseismology and stellar characterisation
• Advances in modelling stellar internal structure and evolution
• Stellar activity
• Ground-based observations for the confirmation and mass determination of planets
• Long-period small planets and habitability
• Planetary structure, composition, evolution, and architecture of planetary systems
• PLATO in the context of Kepler/K2, TESS, CHEOPS, JWST, Roman Space Telescope, Ariel, and large ground-based observatories
• Complementary science topics benefitting from PLATO high-precision photometry

For further information please visit the Conference Website.

With most international conferences being cancelled, we’re facing some issues:

• How can we make our PhD students known for their work?
• How can they start new collaborations, independently of their supervisors?
• How can they advertise for their papers?

So here’s the idea: what if we create a series of invited seminars, given by young researchers, dedicated to Asteroseismology? We are happy to announce that the Good Vibrations Seminar Series is up and running. You can read about the initiative on the website.

Call for applications

The steering committee is welcoming applications from PhD students in Asteroseismology. The procedure is simple and can be found here: Apply!

In order to perform the selection and distribute the seminars in time, it is important that students declare their interest in advance (i.e. before the end of 2020); the title and abstract can be preliminary at this stage.

Please note that priority will be given to students who finish their PhD in 2021. The steering committee will aim to ensure appropriate diversity of both seminar topics and speakers.

If you want to include your group in the initiative, you are most welcome to join. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with the steering committee.