History of Science and Engineering Annotation << Back EXOPLANETS: FROM JOHANNES KEPLER TO SPACE TELESCOPE «KEPLER» V.I. Shematovich, D.V. Bisikalo, P.V. Kaygorodov, A.S. Arakcheev, D.E. Ionov, N.I. Konstantinova, A.A. Cherenkov One of the most signifi cant achievements in the exploration of outer space in recent decades is the discovery of extrasolar planetary systems. Observations of exoplanets using ground and space-based telescopes allowed to obtain the first estimates of such major characteristics of the atmospheres of objects with different masses in extrasolar planetary systems as composition and thermal state. An extensive research of the atmospheres of planets in extrasolar systems is currently conducted in the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, through mathematical modeling and in the framework of observational programs for ground and space telescopes. One of the main issues of modern astrophysics are the questions about the origin of the planetary systems and how life first appeared on Earth. The discovery of extrasolar planets has required a fundamental review of pre-existing theories. It is possible that some of the thousands of discovered planets may be inhabited and modern instruments can detect the signs of alien life. Keywords: Sun; stars; extrasolar planets; space telescopes; computational astrophysics. Contacts: E-mail: shematov@inasan.ru Pp. 48-59.