Exoplanet Hackathon Series - Episode IV Groningen Edition

Join this hackathon to collaborate on developing machine learning methods for characterising the atmospheres of planets beyond our solar system!

Are you ready to push the boundaries of exoplanet science?

With over 6,000 planets discovered outside our solar system (a.k.a. exo-planets), the next frontier is characterising their atmospheres. Exoplanet Hackathon Series - Episode IV Groningen Edition, in partnership with the Ariel Data Challenge, invites students and scientists who are interested in learning the latest development in exoplanets.

We now know of planets ranging from Earth-like worlds to ultra-hot Jupiter-like gas giants. The European Space Agency's Ariel mission, launching in 2029, will study the atmospheres of 1,000 nearby exoplanets in unprecedented detail — providing clues to how planets form and evolve.

The challenge: Current methods will become a bottleneck for the data volumes Ariel will produce. Can ML approaches be a potential solution? Can we develop ML approaches that can rapidly map planetary characteristics from observation — temperature and molecular abundances — while handling noisy observations and quantifying uncertainty? Advancing this will accelerate our understanding of planetary systems and maximise Ariel's scientific legacy. More Info

Here's what you can expect:

• Access to ~90,000 simulated Ariel observations from official instrument and atmosphere simulators
• Talks from Ariel scientists on the latest developments in exoplanet research
• Optional online pre-hackathon seminar on ML fundamentals and exoplanet science
• Networking with researchers involved in the Ariel mission

Who is this for?

The Exoplanet Hackathon Series is opened to any students and scientists with an interest in exoplanet. From Bachelors to full professors (if you have the time), apply if you want to develop cutting edge machine learning techniques to tackle the next generation of exoplanet atmospheric data.

We particularly encourage university students (including BSc/MSc), early-career professionals, and early-career researchers to apply. You can come in teams ( 3-4 ) or as an individual!

No prior exoplanet expertise required — we'll provide the scientific context. No ML expertise required either — we welcome scientists who want to learn.

You are motivated by:

• A fun day coding and getting stuck in a problem.
• Applying ML to real scientific problems
• Contributing to an active ESA space mission
• Learning about exoplanets and atmospheric characterisation

Then this hackathon is for you!

How to Take Part

When you register, you will need to fill out a questionnaire. We would also like to know:

• if you are coming as a team or as an individual (both are welcomed)
• and your background (ML-inclined / astrophysics-inclined / other science)

Registration deadline: 1st April, 2026 at 23:59

What should I bring?

• A laptop with internet connection (even tho computers will be made available)
• an open mind to explore
• optional: a notebook

Who's Leading This?

Organising Institutes:

• Quentin Changeat: Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen
• Kai Hou Yip and Bex Coates: Department of Physics, King’s College London
• Arun NG: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London

Technical Support: Kapteyn Computing Group

Funders: NWO Dutch Research Council, National Federated Compute Services NetworkPlus, Leids Kerkhoven-Bosscha Fonds.

Event Details

Accessibility: Ramp and lift access; Disabled toilets.

Contact: please contact us on Eventbrite

Visit our website for more information.

Good luck — we look forward to seeing you there!

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Host or Publisher Quentin Changeat