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Ikoma Lab (Exoplanet Theory Group)
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The lab uses theory to explore the diversity and formation of planets beyond the solar system.
AboutAbout the lab
Is Earth an ordinary planet?
The Ikoma Lab studies the origins, structure, and diversity of planets and planetary systems outside the solar system.
Thousands of planets have already been discovered beyond the solar system, but not a single one has the same characteristics as the solar system.
Through theoretical modeling and observations, the lab seeks to clarify how diverse the planetary systems of the Milky Way are, and whether our Earth is an ordinary planet.
The lab is based at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, with faculty who also serve in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science.
Key terms
- Exoplanet
- A planet orbiting a star other than the Sun. Thousands have been discovered so far.
- Super-Earth
- A rocky planet somewhat larger than Earth. There are none in the solar system, but they are commonly found outside it.
- Spectroscopic observation
- An observation method that splits light from an astronomical object by wavelength to determine what components it contains.
ResearchResearch themes
The lab specializes in planetary astronomy, exoplanet science, and planet formation theory. Through theoretical modeling and observations, it aims to elucidate the origins, structure, and diversity of planets and planetary systems.
*Illustrative imageDiversity of Planetary Systems
Among the thousands of planets discovered outside the solar system, not a single one has the same characteristics as the solar system. The lab investigates how diverse the planets and planetary systems of the Milky Way are.
*Illustrative imageTheory of Planet Formation
The lab uses theoretical models to study how planets and planetary systems form. Its work has covered the process by which giant planets grow by accreting gas onto a central core, and the process by which short-period super-Earths acquire hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
*Illustrative imageSpectroscopic Observations of Exoplanet Atmospheres
To test its theories, the lab is also involved in future space telescope missions that will spectroscopically observe the atmospheres of exoplanets.
MembersFaculty
- ProfessorTaiyo Ikoma
VoicesStudent voices
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RelatedLabs similar to Ikoma Lab (Exoplanet Theory Group)
Fujii LabFaculty of Science, Department of Earth and Planetary PhysicsExoplanets, planetary atmospheres, and surface environments …
Namiki Lab (RISE Lunar and Planetary Exploration Study Office)Faculty of Science, Department of Earth and Planetary PhysicsPlanetary science and lunar and planetary exploration
Amano LabFaculty of Science, Department of Earth and Planetary PhysicsSpace Physics, Plasma Astrophysics
Tachibana LabFaculty of Science, Department of Earth and Planetary PhysicsOrigin of the Solar System and early chemical evolutionThe information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images.
- Top image: “Artist's Impression of Kepler 138 Planetary System (2022-048)” NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI) / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Diversity of Planetary Systems: “Fomalhaut planet” ESA, NASA, and L. Calcada (ESO for STScI) / Public domain (cropped)
- Theory of Planet Formation: “Artist's impression of an ultra-short-period planet” NASA, ESA and A. Schaller / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Spectroscopic Observations of Exoplanet Atmospheres: “Artist’s impression of GJ 1214b in transit” ESO/L. Calçada / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Fujii Lab): “Artist's impression of the planet orbiting Proxima Centauri (eso1629e)” ESO/M. Kornmesser / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Namiki Lab (RISE Lunar and Planetary Exploration Study Office)): “PIA16587 - GRAIL's Gravity Field of the Moon” NASA/ARC/MIT / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Amano Lab): “Supernova Remnant SN 1006” X-ray: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/G.Cassam-Chenaï, J.Hughes et al.; Radio: NRAO/AUI/NSF/GBT/VLA/Dyer, Maddalena & Cornwell; Optical: Middlebury College/F.Winkler, NOAO/AURA/NSF/CTIO Schmidt & DSS / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Tachibana Lab): “HL Tau protoplanetary disk” ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO) / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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