Available thesis

9 October 2026 Page maintained by Marco Castellani - Last updated on 9 October 2026

Available Thesis

  1. JWST observations of star-forming regions across the Local Group
    This work will be based on the analysis of optical/near-infrared data already acquired with the NIRSpec/NIRCam/MIRI instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). These datasets primarily focus on star-forming regions in the Large/Small Magellanic Clouds and in the outer Galaxy, to study Young Stellar Objects across a wide range of metallicities.

  2. Young star clusters with the forthcoming MOONS@VLT
    The new MOONS instrument at VLT (Chile) will start operations at the beginning of 2026. The thesis will be based on near-infrared simulated spectra and the first spectra acquired with this new-generation instrument on targets of various star-forming regions of our Galaxy.
  1. Direct imaging of protoplanets
    This thesis is aimed at detecting and characterizing giant exoplanets in formation within disks around young stars, through direct imaging data taken with the new LBT high-contrast imager SHARK-VIS (an instrument built and operated by OAR) in conjunction with high-dispersion optical/near-infrared spectra of the hosting stars, already acquired with the GIARPS spectrograph at the TNG.
  1. Characterizing young planetary systems
    This work will be focused on the characterization of young stars and their exoplanets. Optical and near-infrared data taken at the major ground-/space-based facilities (mainly TNG, VLT) will be used. Preparatory work for the next-coming NASA mission Ariel (launch in 2029) will also be possible.
  1. Eruptive accretion: a common or peculiar phenomenon?
    This thesis is aimed at spectroscopically characterizing Young Stellar Objects that present intense outbursts due to eruptive accretion events. The student will use spectra taken at different telescopes (LBT, VLT, TNG) and will characterize these peculiar objects. This will represent an important preparatory work in view of the LSST survey at the Vera Rubin Telescope.
  1. JWST and VLT observations of protostellar jets
    This thesis will focus on the analysis of spectral images of jets from young stars taken with the JWST and/or with the MUSE/ERIS instruments at the Very Large Telescope. The work will consist in data analysis and comparison with spectral lines excitation models.