Rationale

Ultra high-precision space photometry, such as that provided by MOST, CoRoT, Kepler, or BRITE, has revolutionized the study of stars and planets beyond our solar system. Stars are one of the essential constituents of galaxies, they control their chemical evolution, they are the basic “clocks” to measure ages of stellar systems, and thus calibrate other age estimators used at large scales in the universe. Stellar physics is in a golden age: thanks to continuous high-cadence photometric surveys of stars over months or even years, asteroseismology is able to probe the interiors and dynamics of stars across the HR diagram. These space data also constitute a very good choice for the observations of the surface dynamics (e.g. granulation) and magnetic activity of stars.

With the advent of CoRoT and Kepler, and thanks to the transit method, the number of known exoplanets has exploded –suggesting on average at least every other star in the galaxy harbours a planet–, providing unprecedented statistics, which allow us to test planet-formation theories. Combined with ground-based observations, these space missions allow us to characterize planet properties, as well as to improve our knowledge of the star-planet interaction.

The goal of the first joint CoRoT symposium and KASC meeting is to offer a fast paced but comprehensive view of the recent progress in the study of stellar systems and their components: stars and planets. This is achieved by bringing together experts of both fields involved in the two space missions addressing the discovery of exoplanets and seismic study of stars. Latest progress on theory, modelling, and numerical simulations, combined with the huge amount of on-going and legacy observations constitute the “Space Photometry Revolution”. This symposium offers the opportunity to discuss the future of these two domains and to present new space mission projects (TESS, CHEOPS, ESA M3 mission…). The ambition of this conference is to be the dawn of new collaborations between projects, a starting point to solve some of the hot and pressing open questions on the understanding of stellar and planetary systems and their environment.