Electron irradiation of water-rich ices plays a significant role in initiating the chemical and physical processes on the surface of airless icy bodies in radiation environments such as Europa and […]
Enceladus
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
An Alien Ocean On Enceladus Could Hide Signs Of Life From A Spacecraft
Searching for life in alien oceans may be more difficult than scientists previously thought, even when we can sample these extraterrestrial waters directly.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Icy Worlds, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Microbial Diversity Discovered In Lake Enigma, Antarctica
Scientists have discovered a thriving microbial ecosystem beneath 14 metres of ice covering Antarctica’s Lake Enigma, a previously thought-to-be entirely frozen lake.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
An Icy Worlds Life Detection Strategy Based On Exo-AUV
Icy Worlds like Europa and Enceladus provide conditions for the survival of microorganisms. Conducting life detection in regions with high biological potential, such as the icy shell, ice-water interface and […]
Posted inEnceladus, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Development of the Microfluidic Inorganic Conductivity Detector for Europa and the Solenoid-Based Actuator Assembly for Impact Penetrators
This study introduces an innovative in situ lander/impact-penetrator design tailored for Discovery-class missions to Europa, specifically focused on conducting astrobiological analyses.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Earth’s Northernmost Seafloor Hydrothermal System Shows Even More Variety In Vent Styles Than Expected
A new study about Earth’s northernmost seafloor hydrothermal system shows even more variety in vent styles than previously thought. This has important implications for understanding the origin of these vents […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, NASA Astrobiology Program, Nomenclature, Systematics, Natural History, Origin & Evolution of Life, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Marine Science Can Contribute to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life
Life on our planet likely evolved in the ocean, and thus exo-oceans are key habitats to search for extraterrestrial life.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Enceladus, Europa, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Electron-Induced Radiolysis of Water Ice and the Buildup of Oxygen On Icy Worlds
Irradiation by energetic ions, electrons, and UV photons induces sputtering and chemical processes (radiolysis) in the surfaces of icy moons, comets, and icy grains.
Posted inCryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Towards Autonomous Surface Missions on Ocean Worlds
Through advanced autonomy testbed programs, NASA is setting the groundwork for one of its top priorities—the search for signs of life and potentially habitable bodies in our solar system and […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Enceladus, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report
Polyextremophilic Bacteria in Al Wahbah Crater: A Terrestrial Model for Life On Enceladus
The study of extremophilic microorganisms has sparked interest in understanding extraterrestrial microbial life.