Every time we lift our gaze toward the night sky, we encounter incredible stories hidden within that intricate tapestry of stars, waiting only to be told. Stars are just being born within vast, wondrous clouds of hydrogen. There are families of young stars, each sailing toward its own destiny. We observe suns that are slowly fading away and violent, cataclysmic explosions that foreshadow extreme scenarios like black holes. Throughout our journey, we will explore the fascinating evolution of stars, admiring some of the most beautiful celestial bodies that exemplify this extraordinary history. Gianluca Masi’s Bio Gianluca Masi was born in Frosinone. He graduated in Physics, with a focus on Astrophysics, from the University "La Sapienza". He earned a PhD in Astronomy at the University of "Tor Vergata". He has published around 1000 professional contributions, discovered dozens of asteroids, numerous variable stars, and is the co-discoverer of three extrasolar planets and of the transient ASASSN-15lh, among the brightest supernovae ever identified. In 2006, he founded the Virtual Telescope Project. His scientific and photographic contributions regularly appear on Ansa, BBC, CNN, Newsweek, RAI, and other prestigious national and foreign media outlets, radio, and TVs. He has delivered numerous conferences both in Italy and abroad. He actively explores the relationship between the science of the sky and the world of art, also dedicating himself intensely to photography. Among the numerous awards received, the asteroid (21795) was named "Masi" by the International Astronomical Union in recognition of his scientific merits. He won the "Shoemaker NEO Grant" of the Planetary Society, the "Premio Tacchini" of the Italian Astronomical Society, and the “Premio Ruggieri” of the Italian Amateur Astronomers Union.

Join us in a fascinating journey towards understanding the mysteries of worlds beyond Earth, a venture that captivates not just the scientific community but every curious mind. This tutorial, based on our insightful astronomy webinar, delves into the current state of exoplanet research and the exciting future that lies ahead in space exploration. At the heart of this exploration is the European Space Agency's Ariel space mission, scheduled for launch in 2029. Ariel stands out as the pioneering mission dedicated to analyzing the chemical composition of a wide array of exoplanets, orbiting diverse star types. Its primary aim is to comprehensively study a significant and varied sample of exoplanets to answer pressing questions about their composition, the formation of planets and planetary systems, and the evolution of planets and their atmospheres over time. Ariel's ambitious plan involves observing around 1000 transiting exoplanets. To optimize this survey, precise knowledge of the expected transit times of these planets is crucial, presenting a unique opportunity for collaboration across the astronomical community. This is where the ExoClock project comes into play. Developed by Anastasia Kokori and Angelos Tsiaras (the two guests of this webinar), ExoClock is an integrated, open project that focuses on monitoring the ephemerides of Ariel’s target planets. The project is a call to arms for all - professional and amateur astronomers, as well as enthusiastic members of the public. By participating, you can contribute directly to the success of this groundbreaking mission. This tutorial offers an in-depth look at the Ariel mission, its objectives, and how you can be a part of this monumental step in exoplanetary research.