NASA’s Europa Clipper has embarked on its long voyage to Jupiter, where it will investigate Europa, a moon with an enormous subsurface ocean that may have conditions to support life. […]
Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
SwRI-Developed Instruments Will Study Potential Habitability Of Europa
Two Southwest Research Institute instruments were launched aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft on Oct. 14 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft is designed to conduct a detailed reconnaissance […]
Posted inCallisto, Europa, Ganymede, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Jupiter, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiology.com on Deutsche Welle: Europa Clipper and ESA Juice
Editor’s note: I was just on Deutsche Welle talking about the Europa Clipper mission – as well as ESA’s Juice mission – and how they will work in tandem exploring […]
Posted inEuropa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Europa Clipper Astrobiology Expedition Is Underway
The Europa Clipper Astrobiology Expedition is underway. The Europa Clipper spacecraft has separated from the Falcon Heavy’s second stage and has begun a 5 1/2 year journey across the inner […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiology Mission To A Water World: NASA’s Europa Clipper Is Ready to Launch
In less than 24 hours, NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is slated to launch from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket. Its sights are set […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Can Life Exist On An Icy Moon? The Europa Clipper Astrobiology Mission Aims To Find Out
Deep down, in an ocean beneath its ice shell, Jupiter’s moon Europa might be temperate and nutrient-rich, an ideal environment for some form of life — what scientists would call […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Considerations for Photochemical Modeling of Possible Hycean Worlds
JWST is revolutionising the study of temperate sub-Neptunes, starting with the first detection of carbon-bearing molecules in the habitable-zone sub-Neptune K2-18 b. The retrieved abundances of CH4 and CO2 and […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Stellar Cartography, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Habitable Worlds Observatory System Technology Demonstrations And Mission Architecture Studies DRAFT Text Released For Community Comment
When it is solicited, D.19 Habitable Worlds Observatory System Technology Demonstrations and Mission Architecture Studies (HWOTAS) will seek industry-led proposals to carry out (1) system-level critical technology demonstrations for ultra-stable […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Europa Clipper Astrobiology Spacecraft Is Truly Immense
In this image a single human is seen standing next to an immense space droid, Europa Clipper. This is the largest planetary exploration spacecraft that NASA has ever created. And […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Nomenclature, Systematics, Natural History, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Dale Andersen’s Field Report: Preview: 2024 Lake Untersee Field Season
Keith’s note: Astrobiologist Dale Andersen is back in Antarctica at Lake Untersee in October-December 2024 for another field season of research (preview). Dale’s work is coordinated through the SETI Institute. We’ll be posting […]