Science
About me
keywords: cool stars · binaries · exoplanets · radial velocity
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) based at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Madrid. I investigate stellar multiplicity and planetary architectures, with a current emphasis on hierarchical triple systems. I contribute to the KOBE and CARMENES projects and lead observing proposals focused on stellar multiplicity, exoplanet detection, and stellar parameter determination from high-resolution spectroscopy.
Projects
Triple Trouble: Exoplanets in hierarchical triple systems
Triple star systems are more common than often assumed, yet planets in them remain understudied. Their orbital architectures offer valuable clues about planet and star formation in complex gravitational settings. Stable planets in these systems reflect the delicate balance required for long-term dynamical survival.
One is the Loneliest Number: Triple stars are everywhere
Gaia astrometry reveals subtle anomalies in stars that appear single, hinting at unresolved companions. This project follows up such cases to identify spectroscopic binaries, essential to avoid false planet detections, refine stellar parameters, and complete the census of close stellar multiplicity.
K-dwarfs Orbited By habitable Exoplanets (KOBE)
PI: J. Lillo BoxThe KOBE experiment is a legacy radial-velocity survey using CARMENES at Calar Alto. By targeting the overlooked K dwarfs, KOBE bridges the gap between G- and M‑dwarf studies. The project has already confirmed a planet near the habitable zone of a K dwarf.
Calar Alto search for exoearths in M dwarfs (CARMENES)
PIs: P.J. Amado, A. QuirrenbachCARMENES is a dual-channel high-resolution spectrograph operating at the 3.5m Calar Alto telescope, dedicated to the detection of terrestrial-mass exoplanets around M dwarfs. The survey has led to the discovery and characterisation of dozens of exoplanets, and is a cornerstone of low-mass star research in Europe.
Selected publications
For a complete list of my publications, visit my profile on ADS.
2025
KOBE-1: The first planetary system from the KOBE survey
Balsalobre-Ruza et al.
The first discovery of the KOBE project: two super-Earth- or sub-Neptune-mass planets orbiting a quiet K7 star.
2025
Multiplicity of M dwarfs from close spectroscopic binaries to ultra‑wide systems
Cifuentes et al.
Complete multiplicity study ranging from close spectroscopic binaries to ultra-wide companions.
2024
Multiplicity of stars with planets in the solar neighbourhood
González-Payo et al.
Detailed study of 212 exoplanet host stars in multiple systems, revealing how stellar multiplicity influences planet formation, orbital properties, and habitability.
2024
Kinematics of M dwarfs in the solar neighbourhood
Cortés-Contreras et al.
Exhaustive kinematic analysis of 2187 M dwarfs, identifying 191 young star candidates and improving our understanding of stellar ages.
2023
C. Cifuentes |
PhD thesis
2022
A detailed analysis of the Gl 486 planetary system
Caballero et al.
An improved characterization of the nearby warm rocky planet Gl 486 b achieving 4.7% precision in radius and 4.2% in mass.
2021
Stellar atmospheric parameters of CARMENES target stars with SteParSyn
Marfil et al.
Bayesian determination of effective temperatures, surface gravities, and metallicities for 343 M dwarfs using spectral synthesis.
2020
Luminosities, colours, and spectral energy distributions of M dwarfs
Cifuentes et al.
Benchmark study for colours and stellar parameters of M dwarfs in the CARMENES input catalogue.
2019
Different roads to radii and masses of the CARMENES target stars
Schweitzer et al.
Precise radii and masses for 293 nearby M dwarfs, achieving 2-5% precision and consistency across techniques.
2019
Exomoons in the habitable zones of M dwarfs
Martínez-Rodríguez et al.
Among 33 exoplanets in habitable zones around M dwarfs, four are capable of hosting stable Moon- to Titan-mass exomoons for timescales exceeding the age of the Universe.
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Now
Past, present and future scientific events of 2025.
February 2026
Workshop on Planets Around M-Dwarfs
Invited talk: "M dwarfs in multiple star systems"
Lund University, Sweden
December 2025
Exploring Tattoine and beyond: Circumbinary planets with ESAC missions
Local Organising Committee
European Space Astronomy Centre, Spain
Now
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October 2025
ESA's Madrid-Area Exoplanet Science Meeting (MAESM)
Talk: "Exoplanets in triple star systems"
European Space Astronomy Centre, Spain
July 2025
Detection and Dynamics of Exoplanets (DDE): Interplay between theory and observations
Talk: "Exoplanets in triple star systems"
University of Coimbra, Portugal
May 2025
Genève Observatory, Switzerland
Contact
ccifuentes@cab.inta-csic.es
Schedule a meeting
Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA)
Camino Bajo del Castillo s/n
Campus European Space Astronomy Centre
28692 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain