1. Weltraumforschung und Planteologie Space Research and Planetology
Profs. Willy Benz, Nicolas Thomas, Peter Wurz
Universität Bern, Physikalisches Institut
Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

2. Entstehung und Entwicklung des Sonnensystems
Research in the division of Space Science and Planetology (WP) of the Physics Institute is in the field of planetary science, in particular to answer scientific questions in the area of the origin and the evolution of the solar system, and planetary systems at other stars.

3. Organisation Space Science and Planetology
Prof. W. Benz: Astrophysics and Planetary Science
Study the physical and chemical processes involved in the formation and evolution of planetary systems, covering exoplanets and the solar system.
Prof. N. Thomas: Remote Sensing of Comets, Asteroids, and Planets
Studies the interaction of light with the surfaces of solar system bodies and particularly on the physics of dynamic phenomena involving ices and volatiles species.
Prof. P. Wurz: Composition Analysis of Surfaces and Atmospheres
Study the chemical, elemental, and isotopic composition of planets and planetary objects to learn about their origin and evolution.
Center for Space and Habitability
Prof. K. Heng
Characterisation of exoplanets and the exploration of the solar system using ground-based and space-based infrastructure
NCCR: PlanetS
Prof. W. Benz
Theoretical, experimental and observational research covering all aspects of planet formation and evolution.
TAPS carries out investigations aimed at understanding the physical and chemical processes involved in the formation and evolution of planetary systems (exoplanets and the solar system). For this, we use a comprehensive approach based on theoretical modelling guided by astronomical observations as well as laboratory and in-situ measurements. 

4. Theoretical astrophysics and planetary science group Partners in: NCCR PlanetS and CSH
Prof. Willy Benz
Bachelor thesis title
Dr. M. Jutzi
Prof. Y. Alibert
Modelling the formation and evolution of planets: comparing theory and observation
Prof. C. Mordasini
Prof. K. Heng
Partners in: NCCR PlanetS and CSH
Yann:
Planet population synthesis: prediction for GAIA and microlensing
How accreting giant planets influence the evolution of protoplanetary disks
Flashes from extrasolar planetesimal impacts
The formation of the pluto-charon system by giant impact
The evaporation of the H/He envelope of close-in planets 
The imprit of planet formation on the luminosity distribution

5. Planetary Imaging Group
Prof. Nicolas Thomas
Characterization of the focus and point spread function of the CaSSIS imager using standard stars.
Identifying and quantifying individual dust particles above the nucleus of comet 67P.
Dr. Antoine Pommerol
Laboratory measurements of the reflectance properties of icy Mars soil analogue

6. In Situ Space Research Prof. Peter Wurz PD. Marek Tulej
Modellierung der gepulsten Massenselektion in Flugzeitmassenspektrometern für Spurenelement Analyse
PD. Marek Tulej
In situ chemical analysis of geological samples by Laser Mass Spectrometer (LMS)
Dr. Audrey Vorburger
Modelling of the chemistry and structure of the exosphere of Venus

7. Meteoriten und Kometen – Boten aus dem frühen Sonnensystem
Prof. Ingo Leya
Bachelor thesis title
PD Dr. Martin Rubin
Untersuchung der Gaskoma des Kometen 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

8. Space Research and Planetology
1967 to present: ~50 years of space research
1976: First mass spectrometer on GEOS 1 and GEOS 2
1969: First solar wind sail with Apollo 11 on the Moon
1967: First instrument on Zenith rocket
1985: Giotto passing comet Halley with mass spectrometers from Bern
1990: Ulysses leaves ecliptic plane, with a solar wind instrument from Bern
: Research in the upper atmosphere
: Venus-Express , with atmosphere imaging
2003-today: Mars-Express, with atmosphere imaging
1995-today: SOHO observes the Sun, with solar wind instruments
2004-today: Rosetta mission, with Bernese instrument ROSINA
: Chandrayaan-1, with Bernese participation
Today: Bepicolombo mission, to be launched in 2018
2016-today: ExoMars mission, with CaSSIS camera
2008-today:Interstellar Boundary Explorer, with Bernese participation
Today: CHEOPS space-craft, to be launched in 2018 8