Dipl.-Ing. Florian Kröll
PhD Student in Astrophysics
Institute for Astrophysics and Geophysics (University of Graz)
Driven by a fascination with the universe, Florian pursued a Master’s in Space Sciences before beginning his PhD at the Institute for Astrophysics and Geophysics at the University of Graz. His research focuses on improving exoplanet detection using the radial velocity method, where identifying Earth-like planets requires a precision of 10 cm/s—yet stellar activity introduces noise at around 1 m/s, making detection challenging. He investigates how stellar surface phenomena, such as granulation, faculae, and starspots, distort spectral lines and introduce spurious velocity shifts. By analyzing high-resolution spectra and developing techniques to filter out these effects, he aims to refine exoplanet detection and contribute to planetary discovery. He holds a Dipl.-Ing. (MSc equivalent) in Space Sciences from the Technical University of Graz, specializing in solar system physics and astrophysics, with a master’s thesis on solar atmospheric research. His academic path took him abroad to the University of Bern and the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, where he gained valuable insights from international perspectives and research cultures. When he is not investigating the cosmos, Florian enjoys seeing the world from above—paragliding through the skies.