Last year, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) obtained seven Starting Grants awarded annually by the European Research Council (ERC). These projects are included in the Excellent Science pillar of the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union (EU).

Daniele Viganò, researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), obtained an ERC Starting Grant for the IMAGINE project, which aims to study magnetic fields on exoplanets. IMAGINE started officially last Saturday, May 1.

This ongoing project "focuses on magnetic fields as a key factor for the habitability of rocky planets, just like on Earth, and as a messenger of the internal composition and dynamics of exoplanets in general”, explains scientist Daniele Viganò.

“Combining a novel formulation, detectable radio wave emission studies, and partially imported advanced numerical techniques adapted from the magnetised neutron star scenario, IMAGINE will predict magnetic field values ​​for different exoplanets, comparing the associated observable properties of gas giants and contributing to identify the best candidates for rocky worlds for their habitability”, says researcher Viganò.