|Planets in Binary Systems||Alteration of Chemical Abundances||Search and Characterization of Transiting Planets||Radial Velocity Variation in Red Giants|
After the discovery of the first planet outside Solar System in 1992, the search
for extrasolar planets represents one of the most active fields in astronomy.
Several observational and technological projects are on-going at INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova.
A major efforts is being dedicated to the study of the effects of the dynamical environment (binary systems, star clusters) on the frequency and properties of planetary systems.
Additional searches for transiting planets are on-going or planned, and a dedicated radial velocity survey for planets orbiting red giants is in progress.
In the next years, the most relevant area of work will be addressed to the technological projects aimed at direct detection of planets (SPHERE and EPICS) and to the detection of Earth-like transiting planets (PLATO), with significant involvement both on the scientific definition and preparation and on the instrument design and development.