The exquisite photometric precision of the Kepler space telescope now puts
the detection of extrasolar moons at the horizon. Here, we firstly review
observational and analytical techniques that have recently been proposed to
find exomoons. Secondly, we discuss the prospects of characterizing potentially
habitable extrasolar satellites. With moons being much more numerous than
planets in the solar system and with most exoplanets found in the stellar
habitable zone being gas giants, habitable moons could be as abundant as
habitable planets. However, satellites orbiting planets in the habitable zones
of cool stars will encounter strong tidal heating and likely appear as hot
moons.Comment: submitted as Proceedings to the ROPACS meeting "Hot Planets and Cool
Stars" (Nov. 2012, Garching), 4 pages, 2 colored figure
