Since the pioneering discoveries of extrasolar disks and planets in the mid-nineties (Auman et al, 1984; Wolczan et al, 1992, Mayor and Queloz, 1995, the latter Nobel Prizes in Physics 2019), a new domain of astrophysics, exo-planetology, has emerged, that aims at exploring the diversity of extra solar planetary systems (PS), at understanding their formation and early evolution, and at ultimately detecting Earth-like planets. Intimately connected to this domain is the understanding of the origin of life & early evolution, and the search of life on other SS or extrasolar planets. The aim of the course is to present an overview of the methods used to detect and characterise extrasolar planets, and to highlight specific topics currently addressed by the experts community.
The Master Class aims at providing a global view of the methods of detection and characterisation of extrasolar planets, and the state of the art in the various areas. The approaches will be presented, from the instrumental, observational, data processing points of view, together with the associated challenges (either instrumental or physical), and limitations. The results obtained with these methods will be described, and the implications on the knowledge of planetary systems formation and evolution will be presented.