2014 series
Home institutions: University of Berne, University of Geneva
The discovery of the first planet outside our solar system by Swiss astronomers in 1995 sparked a revolution in the field of astronomy. Not only did it help us to understand how planets are formed and evolve, but it also contributed to the development of instruments dedicated to the discovery of further exoplanets. By combining astronomical observations, measurements of solar system bodies using spacecraft, laboratory work and theoretical modelling, the NCCR "PlanetS – Origin, Evolution and Characterisation of Planets" aims to contribute to a better understanding of planets. In addition, the NCCR will coordinate the use of the CHEOPS instrument (CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite), whose launch into orbit is scheduled for 2017.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR Management
NCCR Director
Prof. Willy Benz
NCCR PlanetS
Universität Bern
Physikalisches Institut
Sidlerstrasse 5
CH-3012 Bern
Tel. +41 (0) 31 631 44 03
E-mail
willy.benz@space.unibe.ch
Co-Director
Prof. Stéphane Udry
Université de Genève
Département d‘Astronomie
51, chemin des Maillettes
Sauverny
CH-1290 Versoix
Tel. +41 (0) 22 379 24 67
E‐mail
stephane.udry@unige.ch
Management / Coordination
PD Dr. Yann Alibert
NCCR PlanetS
Universität Bern
Physikalisches Institut
Gesellschaftstrasse 6
CH-3012 Bern
Tel. +41 (0) 31 631 55 47
E‐mail
yann.alibert@space.unibe.ch
Secretariat
Tel. +41 (0) 31 631 32 39
E‐mail
janine.jungo@space.unibe.ch
Funding
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institution involved in the NCCR also contributes a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR PlanetS in its first funding period.
Financing 2014 – 2017 (Swiss Francs)
| Time-frame |
|---|
|
Funding source | 2014-2017 |
| SNSF grant* | 17'600'000 |
| Funds of Berne University* | 4'200'000 |
| Funds of Geneva University* | 3'390'000 |
| Group funds of the project participants | 8'612’562 |
| External funds | 0 |
| Total | 33'802’562 |
* contractually agreed funding
Evaluation / Review Panel
For each NCCR, the SNSF appoints a Review Panel composed of renowned experts whose task it is to evaluate scientific quality and the progress made in NCCR projects. The Review Panel of the NCCR PlanetS consists of the following experts:
- Prof. Imke de Pater, Department of Astronomy, University of California at Berkeley, US
- Prof. Debra Fischer, Department of Astronomy, Yale University, New Haven, US
- Prof. Jamie Gilmour, School of Earth etc Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK
- Prof. Lisa Kaltenegger, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, US
- Prof. Douglas N C Lin, Astronomy & Astrophysics Department, UC Santa Cruz, US
- Prof. Larry R. Nittler, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, US
- Prof. Ewine F. van Dishoeck, Sterrewacht Leiden, NL
In addition, the National Research Council appoints three of its members as representatives to the panel:
- Prof. Frank Scheffold (Chair), SNSF, Programmes division, University of Fribourg
- Prof. Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, SNSF, Programmes division, EPFL
- Prof. Christoph Heinrich, Institute of Geochemistry and Petrologie, ETH Zürich
Contact person at the SNSF:
Thomas Griessen
NCCR Team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
CH-3001 Bern
+41 (0) 31 308 23 51
E-mail
thomas.griessen@snf.ch
Research structures
National Centres of Competence in Research leave their mark on the research landscape well beyond the SNSF funding period. They help to define key topics and sustainably change Swiss research structures. Thus NCCRs can lead to the creation of new professorships and courses of study as well as new infrastructures or platforms at the universities involved.
NCCRs operate as a network in which a large number of scientific partners are active. Working within these networks has borne fruit in the form of new research approaches and excellent scientific contributions.
Structures created by this NCCR until now:
Contributions to society and the economy
The National Centres of Competence in Research not only engage in cutting-edge research, they also play an important role in transferring knowledge and new technologies to the economy and to society at large. They lead to the formation of start-ups, and the new insights have the potential to awaken the interest of politicians, globally active companies and the public at large.
Communication and knowledge and technology transfer of the NCCR PlanetS:
Promotion of academic careers and equal opportunities
The National Centres of Competence in Research consciously promote promising young researchers and are committed to equal opportunities for men and women in research.
Measures taken by the NCCR PlanetS to promote young researchers and gender equality.