Photometry with the transit method has arguably been the most successful exoplanet discovery method to date. A short overview about the rise of that method to its present status is given. The method's strength is the rich set of parameters that can be obtained from transiting planets, in particular in combination with radial velocity observations

An overview over analysis or modelling tools related to the radial velocity and transit methods for exoplanet detection and characterization is given, with over 40 software tools presented. Tools that cover related subjects, such as physical exoplanet modelling, stellar activity, limb darkening, or stellar parameter estimates, are included as well

The historic quest to detect circumbinary planets (CBPs) dates back to a time before the first extrasolar planets were detected. Eclipsing binary star systems (EBs) were considered prime targets for the detection of CBP transits, as it was considered likely that the planetary orbits would also be close to edge on to our line of sight and so cross

For hundreds of years, the Solar System and its planetary bodies were the only example in which to base our models of planet formation and evolution. With the discovery of exoplanets, a much greater diversity of planetary types and system architectures have been uncovered. Nevertheless, the Solar System planets remain our best test bed to

Small bodies are rocky and/or icy objects, usually ranging in size from a few meters to a few hundreds of kilometers. They comprise near-Earth and main belt asteroids, Jupiter Trojans, trans-Neptunian objects, Centaurs, comets, and a recently discovered category called the transitional objects. Their physical nature, distribution, formation, and

Over the past two decades, enormous advances in the detection of exoplanets have taken place. Currently, we have discovered hundreds of Earth-sized planets, several of them within the habitable zone of their star. In the coming years, the efforts will concentrate in the characterization of these planets and their atmospheres to try to detect the