Comets are small bodies made of material that was left over from the formation of planets in the solar system. Therefore, by studying comets, we can learn much about the formation of our solar system.
Intriguingly, some stars are also known to host comets, which we can study to better learn about the formation of their planetary systems and our solar system, by comparison. These comets are commonly referred to as exocomets as they are outside the solar system. They were first identified by the absorption lines they superimpose over their host stars' spectra. This led to their other name Falling Evaporating Bodies (FEBs) as their spectra were often red-shifted as though they were falling into their host stars. However, as more exocomet hosting systems were discovered, it became apparent that their spectra could have a range of Doppler shifts, absorption depths, and lifetimes, depending on their orbital configurations and physical properties.
Therefore, the study of exocomets offers us a unique window into the evolution of planetary systems as their current properties reflect the evolution that they have experienced. Las Cumbres Observatory’s Network of Robotic Echelle Spectrographs (NRES) is ideally suited to studying these fascinating exocomet hosting systems.