In this presentation, I will describe my very personal view of some of the directions in which I think the study of exoplanet atmospheres will go in the next decade, before the launch of HWO. This view is based in two observational topics I am particularly interested in: the search for isotopes in exoplanet atmospheres, and the search for biosignatures. Measurements of isotope ratios have been used for decades to understand the origin and evolution of planets and other bodies in the Solar System. In exoplanets, however, isotope detections and measurements of their ratios is a topic still in its infancy. In this presentation, I will describe what we know so far about isotopes in exoplanets, and the potential for development of this topic with JWST in the next few years. Characterization of exoplanet atmospheres in general, and the search for biosignatures in particular, are more mainstream topics currently driving the work of many. In this presentation, I will briefly describe my thoughts about the future of exoplanet atmospheres characterization as we go from tens to thousands of atmospheres being observed in the next decade. I will also touch on the feasibility and limitations of biosignature searches.

Speaker: Mercedes López-Morales (STScI)

The 2025 Spring Colloquium talks are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. This colloquium is hosted by STScI and will be held as an in-person and virtual event.

You may join in person at STScI’s John N. Bahcall Auditorium or virtually on STScI's Live Science Events Facebook page.

Please direct questions or comments to contact above. The 2025 Spring Colloquium Committee members are: Nestor Espinoza (STScI), Joel Green (STScI), Nick Indriolo (STScI), Elena Manjavacas (STScI), Namrata Roy (JHU), Kevin Schlaufman (JHU), Ethan Vishniac (JHU).