My name is Giovanni Bruno and I am the lecturer for this course on extrasolar planets. I am a researcher in this exciting and young field of astrophysics, and I will bring you on a trip towards the main discoveries that were made since the first exoplanet was found.

In this course, you will learn what the main types of exoplanets are, how they are looked for and studied, and get familiar with the main findings about their atmospheres and formation environment. We will explore the implications of what we have learnt so far in the search for life in the Universe, and discuss the challenges that await us.

During our journey, we will also have some quick looks at stellar physics and at comparisons between exoplanets and our Solar System planets, as our close environment can be better understood by placing it in the broader context we live in.