Red dwarfs, which are stars that are typically born with masses below 0.6 Msun, are the most numerous stars and comprise about 70% of the stellar population in the Solar neighbourhood. Since we rely on indirect methods for detection of exoplanets, this small stars provide a number of advantages for the detection of the smallest planets. While the detection of true Earth analogues and Solar analogues remains beyond current capabilities, today we can detect planets around red dwarfs with bulk properties similar to our own world. The detection method strongly affects the possible follow-up characterization methods and the information that can be obtained from them. Irrespective of the technique, the nearest red dwarfs provide the best opportunities for characterization, and the search for evidence for life by investigating possible out-of-equilibrium chemistries in their atmospheres. I will review the state of the art for the detection of the nearest exoplanets, including Proxima Centauri (nearest star to the Sun, whose planetary system has been identified by our group, the Red Dots collaboration), and describe the methods and characterisation opportunities that these planets will offer within the next decade.

Talk delivered in ICM Friday Talks in Barcelona, Spain, 06 March 2020