The presence of an atmosphere over sufficiently long timescales is widely regarded as one of the most prominent criteria associated with planetary surface habitability. We address the crucial question as […]
2017
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Exoplanet Biosignatures: A Review of Remotely Detectable Signs of Life
In the coming years and decades, advanced space- and ground-based observatories will allow an unprecedented opportunity to probe the atmospheres and surfaces of potentially habitable exoplanets for signatures of life. […]
Posted inMars, Press Release
Driven by Excess? Climatic Implications of New Global Mapping of Near-Surface Water-Equivalent Hydrogen on Mars
We present improved Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS) maps of near-surface Water-Equivalent Hydrogen (WEH) on Mars. These maps have intriguing implications for the global distribution of “excess” ice, which occurs […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
First Tentative Steps to Explore the Potential Climate of Proxima B
The quest to discover whether a planet orbiting our closest neighbouring star, Proxima Centauri (4.2 light years or 25 trillion miles from Earth), has the potential to support life has […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Glint From Ice Particles In Earth's Atmosphere Could Be Used To Study Exoplanets
One million miles from Earth, a NASA camera is capturing unexpected flashes of light reflecting off our planet. The homeward-facing instrument on NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory, or DSCOVR, launched […]
Posted inExtinction events, Press Release
Distance at Which Supernova Would Spark Mass Extinctions Increased
In 2016, researchers published “slam dunk” evidence, based on iron-60 isotopes in ancient seabed, that supernovae buffeted the Earth One of these supernovae was about 2.6 million years ago. University […]
Posted inIcy Worlds, Press Release
Geophysical Tests for Habitability In Ice-covered Ocean Worlds
Geophysical measurements can reveal the structure of icy ocean worlds and cycling of volatiles. The associated density, temperature, sound speed, and electrical conductivity of such worlds thus characterizes their habitability. […]
Posted inFossils & Paleontology, Press Release
Oldest Evidence of Life on Land Found
Fossils discovered by UNSW scientists in ancient hot spring deposits in the Pilbara have pushed back by 580 million years the earliest known evidence for microbial life on land. Fossils […]
Posted inEuropa, Press Release
The Seismic Noise Environment of Europa
Seismic data will be a vital geophysical constraint on internal structure of Europa if we land instruments on the surface. Quantifying expected seismic noise on Europa is an important consideration […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Influence of Aerosols, Clouds, and Sunglint on Polarization Spectra of Earthshine
Ground-based observations of the Earthshine, i.e., the light scattered by Earth to the Moon, and then reflected back to Earth, simulate space observations of our planet and represent a powerful […]