We estimate the capture rate of interstellar objects by means of three-body gravitational interactions. We apply this model to the Sun-Jupiter system and the Alpha Centauri A\B binary system, and […]
Panspermia
Posted inPanspermia, Press Release, TRAPPIST-1
Fast Litho-panspermia in the Habitable Zone of the TRAPPIST-1 System
With several short-period, Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone, the TRAPPIST-1 system potentially allows litho-panspermia to take place on very short timescales. We investigate the efficiency and speed of inter-planetary […]
Posted inPanspermia, Press Release
Enhanced Interplanetary Panspermia In The TRAPPIST-1 System
We present a simple model for estimating the probability of interplanetary panspermia in the recently discovered system of seven planets orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, and find that panspermia […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Panspermia
Interstellar Seeds Could Create Oases of Life
We only have one example of a planet with life: Earth. But within the next generation, it should become possible to detect signs of life on planets orbiting distant stars. […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Panspermia, Press Release
Statistical Signatures of Panspermia in Exoplanet Surveys
A fundamental astrobiological question is whether life arose spontaneously on earth or was transported here from an extrasolar system. We propose a new strategy to answer this question based on […]
Posted inBiophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gravitational Biology, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Space Stations
Space Station Research Studies Exposure Of Life To Vacuum of Space
In the movies, humans often fear invaders from Mars. These days, scientists are more concerned about invaders to Mars, in the form of micro-organisms from Earth. Three recent scientific papers […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia
Vitamin B3 Might Have Been Made in Space, Delivered to Earth by Meteorites
Ancient Earth might have had an extraterrestrial supply of vitamin B3 delivered by carbon-rich meteorites, according to a new analysis by NASA-funded researchers. The result supports a theory that the […]
Posted inPanspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety
Could Life Hitch a Ride to Saturn and Jupiter?
A new study supported by the NASA Astrobiology Institute suggests that the possibility of life being transferred from the inner solar system to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, although […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia
Nature's Starships: Observed Abundances and Relative Frequencies of Amino Acids in Meteorites
The class of meteorites called carbonaceous chondrites are examples of material from the solar system which have been relatively unchanged from the time of their initial formation. These meteorites have […]
Posted inIcy Worlds, Panspermia
Life Could Have Hitched a Ride to Outer Planet Moons
Life on Earth or Mars could have been brought to the moons of Jupiter or Saturn on rocks blasted off those planets, researchers say. These findings suggest if scientists ever […]