The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Changes in starlight reflected by the planet as it orbits its star provide insight into the physical processes that drive the transport of heat from the hot day side to the cooler night side. This technique, called phase curve analysis, also reveals details of the planet’s atmosphere, including the presence of clouds, and possibly even hints of the cloud composition.
ESA's Characterising Exoplanet Satellite, Cheops, will use the phase curve method to study some of the brightest stars in the mission's list of targets.