INPhINIT Incoming PhD: "Exploring the outskirts of the Solar System"

  Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas   Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía   Excelencia Severo Ochoa   HR Excellence in Research
Deadline: 
January, 27th 2022
Type: 
INPhINIT PhD
Code: 
SO_IN_25
Introduction: 

Our solar system beyond Neptune is poorly known. We know about the existence of Pluto, a few other dwarf planets and a myriad of smaller objects collectively known as “Transneptunian Objects”. But because of limitations in the current reach of our largest telescopes we do not know exactly how many of them there are and how far they reach. We do not even know if there is still an additional planet in the solar system to be found or even more than just one planet... But by studying the currently known TNOs and using new techniques we may be able to get some answers to the above questions. In this project we intend to take advantage of high accuracy observations that we have done in our group and also in the development of techniques that may be able to shed light on those questions.

Tasks: 

The candidate will work on analyzing an extensive database obtained along more than 20 years of observations and will also take new observations with different telescope facilities. The candidate will analyze them with powerful tools that we have developed to extract fine photometry and fine astrometry. The candidate will use N-body computer codes to interpret some of the data and will extract consequences that will be published in scientific journals.
Group Leader
1. Title: Dr.
2. Full name: Jose L. Ortiz
3. Email: ortiz@iaa.es

Period (months): 
36 months

IAA is an equal opportunity institution. Applications to this program by female scientists are particularly encouraged.

Should you need any further information or assistance concerning the application, please contact the IAA at severoochoa[at]iaa.es