NCCR PlanetS

Following the remarkable scientific achievements of the space telescope CHEOPS, ESA has decided to extend the mission once again. The space telescope, which was built at the University of Bern and whose science operations center is located at the University of Geneva, will now continue to operate until the end of 2029. This decision underscores the outstanding performance and scientific value of CHEOPS in exoplanet research. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/bdz6e2eb

Exploring Space, Advancing Human Health — Symposium
Date: 10 June 2026 | Time: 14:00–17:00 | Location: University of Bern, ExWi, Room A006, Bern
How can insights from space exploration shape the medicine of tomorrow? At the Space Meets Medicine Symposium 2026, experts from the fields of space science, medicine, and research will come together to discuss innovative approaches to healthcare and patient care. The symposium will focus on technologies for extreme environments, novel research approaches, and the transfer of space-derived innovations into clinical practice. The event offers fascinating insights into a forward-looking field at the intersection of space science and medicine. The European Space Agency (ESA) is participating as a key partner. For further information and to register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/mv2n4avj

Exploring Space, Advancing Human Health — Symposium
Datum: 10. Juni 2026 | Zeit: 14:00–17:00 Uhr | Ort: Universität Bern, ExWi, Raum A006, Bern
Wie können Erkenntnisse aus der Raumfahrt die Medizin von morgen prägen? Beim Space Meets Medicine Symposium 2026 treffen Expertinnen und Experten aus Raumfahrt, Medizin und Forschung aufeinander, um innovative Ansätze für Gesundheit und Versorgung zu diskutieren. Im Fokus stehen Technologien für extreme Umgebungen, neue Forschungsansätze sowie der Transfer von Innovationen aus dem All in die klinische Praxis. Die Veranstaltung bietet spannende Einblicke in ein zukunftsweisendes Forschungsfeld an der Schnittstelle von Weltraumwissenschaft und Medizin. Die ESA ist dabei als zentrale Partnerin vertreten. Weitere Informationen und Anmeldung unter https://tinyurl.com/mv2n4avj

An international research team involving the University of Bern has used high-resolution measurements with some of the world's most powerful telescopes to determine the wind speeds on seven very hot exoplanets similar to Jupiter. The observations revealed that the winds on these planets are most likely influenced by magnetic fields. This is the strongest evidence to date of magnetism on planets outside our solar system. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3s2ap87p

Special Seminar on JAXA’s MMX Mission. The University of Bern welcomes Masaki Fujimoto, Director General of ISAS/JAXA, to a special seminar on Monday, 8 June 2026. The event marks the launch of an international outreach collaboration for JAXA’s Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission, involving the University of Bern’s Center for Space and Habitability. The seminar will feature presentations by representatives of JAXA and researchers from the University of Bern.
When: Monday, 8 June 2026, 13:15–15:00
Where: Aula (Room 210), Main Building, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/5h4xvpn7

A new study reveals a surprising find: a tiny, icy world beyond Pluto appears to harbor a thin, delicate atmosphere — possibly formed by volcanic eruptions or a comet strike. At just around 500 kilometers across, this mini Pluto would be the smallest known object in the solar system with a gravity-bound global atmosphere.

Astronomers believe they've detected an atmosphere around a tiny, icy world beyond Pluto Just 300 miles or so across, this mini Pluto is thought to be the solar system's smallest object.

ESA’s Plato mission has successfully completed a series of tough tests under space‑like conditions. With this accomplishment, the spacecraft is on track to lift off in early 2027 and begin its search for terrestrial planets.

Plato aces space-like tests The European Space Agency Plato mission has successfully completed a series of tough tests under space‑like conditions. With this accomplishment, the spacecraft is on track to lift off in early 2027 and begin its search for terrestrial planets.

Noticeable change on Mars often takes millions of years – but the ESA’s Mars Express has captured a blanket of dark ash creeping across the planet in just decades.

Ash creeps across Mars Noticeable change on Mars often takes millions of years – but the European Space Agency’s Mars Express has captured a blanket of dark ash creeping across the planet in just decades.

Where is the boundary between stars and the most massive planets? It likely depends on how they form: either by gradual growth (“bottom-up”) or by fragmentation of a large gas and dust cloud (“top-down”). Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers studied an object of about 15 Jupiter masses—right at this boundary. They found that 29 Cygni b likely formed “bottom-up,” meaning like a planet, not a star.

Webb redefines dividing line between planets and stars - Composition and orbit of 29 Cygni b point to accretion within a protoplanetary disc Where is the dividing line between stars and the most massive planets? Scientists think it may depend on how they formed. Was it from a bottom-up approach, gradually growing larger over time, or a top-down approach in which a large collection of gas and dust fragments into smaller, planet-sized bits...

Deep within massive rocky exoplanets, hidden oceans of molten rock may be generating powerful magnetic fields in an unexpected way.

Hidden Oceans of Magma Could Be Protecting Alien Life Deep within massive rocky exoplanets, hidden oceans of molten rock may be generating powerful magnetic fields in an unexpected way.