The aim of the course is to give participants a thorough multidisciplinary introduction into the field of exoplanets, their detection, types, characterization, and the possibility of life on exoplanets. In addition, more general planetary subjects like formation of planetary systems, habitability of planets, and physical processes in planetary atmospheres will be covered. To give participants some hands-on experience with detection of exoplanets, observations of several exoplanet transits using the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory telescopes will be carried out. The course is open to PhD and master students, early career scientists, and amateur astronomers.

Activities of professional astronomers and amateur astronomers will be merged in order to achieve more understanding between groups. The level of the school is orientated to PhD students and early career scientists, however amateur astronomers will be provided with the additional scientific support during lectures and observations.

• For selected* PhD and master students, and early career scientists from the European Astrobiology Campus (EAC) partner institutions** participation will be fully covered and up to EUR 360,- for travel depending on the distance travelled will be reimbursed by EAC.
• For selected* amateur astronomers the participation will be fully covered.
• Other selected participants will have to pay a participation fee of 600 EUR that includes accomodation, meals, excursions and local transportation.

The school is co-organised by the European Commission HORIZON 2020 project EUROPLANET 2020 Research Infrastructure and Erasmus+ project European Astrobiology Campus .

The deadline for application is 15 June 2016 23:59:00 UTC.

* More information concerning the reimbursement will be provided for the selected participants  personally.

**EAC partner institutions: University of Bordeaux, University of Iceland, The Open University, University of Porto, Stockholm University, Tallinn University of Technology, University of Tartu, University of Turku, Utrecht University, Vilnius University