About ME
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, interested in extrasolar planet detection and stellar oscillations. In preparation for the PLATO mission, I am investigating the identification of stellar pulsations using machine learning techniques. With these pulsations, asteroseismic models can provide stellar parameters, which are crucial for an accurate determination of planetary parameters.
During my PhD, I searched for extrasolar planets orbiting pulsating stars. Regular variations in pulsation arrival times indicate the presence of planetary companions. Of special interest are host stars of the subdwarf B (sdB) type. The existence of single sdB stars is difficult to understand by stellar evolution theory so far. Planets can help to form these kinds of stars if they survive the violent red giant phase of the star. Alternatively second generations planets could form from the inflated envelope of the star.
The timing method is particularly sensitive to planets at large distances and complementary to other exoplanet detection methods because they are not efficient for stars with small radii and high gravities. This opens up a new parameter range in terms of the host stars and helps to understand the formation process of single sdBs. In consideration of future photometric space missions like PLATO, it is essential to enhance the diversity of potential exoplanet host stars that can be probed.
Previously, I investigated the atmosphere of the transiting hot Jupiter TrES-3b using transmission spectroscopy at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam.
My passion for astronomy grew with a 8" Newtonian telescope. Besides that, I am an enthusiastic photographer, graphic designer and musician.
orcid.org/0000-0001-5136-6596