Les Houches School of PhysicsSince 1951

Clouds and hazes form in nearly every type of planetary atmospheres. They fundamentally impact the atmospheric structure and spectra of exoplanets and even influence their habitability. Intensive observing efforts have generated an abundance of data on clouds and hazes in exoplanets but modeling expertise in the community has lagged. This school will focus on physical models for cloud and haze formation in planetary atmospheres in different radiation environments, and include reviews on exoplanet observations and laboratory studies. The previous sessions (e.g. Cloud Academy I) focused on atmosphere circulation and the general concept of cloud formation in exoplanet and solar system planets. The present session forges a closer link to observations through detailed atmosphere models as exoplanet research is now developing into the characterization of exoplanets. We therefore aim to establish an ongoing effort to help the community keep up to date and exchange ideas on this rapidly developing field.