Changes in solar irradiance and in its spectral distribution are among the main natural drivers of the climate on Earth. However, irradiance measurements are only available for less than four […]
Space Weather & Heliophysics
Posted inPress Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Exploring Extreme Space Weather Factors of Exoplanetary Habitability
It is currently unknown how common life is on exoplanets, or how long planets can remain viable for life. To date, we have a superficial notion of habitability, a necessary […]
Posted inPress Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Space Weather and Its Impact on Habitable Worlds
The search of life in the Universe is a fundamental problem of astrobiology and a major priority for NASA. A key area of major progress since the NASA Astrobiology Strategy […]
Posted inPress Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
The Propitious Role of Solar Energetic Particles in the Origin of Life
We carry out 3-D numerical simulations to assess the penetration and bombardment effects of Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs), i.e. high-energy particle bursts during large flares and superflares, on ancient and […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Proxima Centauri, Space Weather & Heliophysics
The Space Weather of Proxima Centauri b
A planet orbiting in the “habitable zone” of our closest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri, has recently been discovered, and the next natural question is whether or not Proxima b is […]
Posted inPress Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Astrobiological Effects of Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Milky Way Galaxy
A planet having protective ozone within the collimated beam of a Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) may suffer ozone depletion, potentially causing a mass extinction event to existing life on a […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Proxima Centauri, Space Weather & Heliophysics
The Pale Green Dot: A Method to Characterize Proxima Centauri b using Exo-Aurorae
We examine the feasibility of detecting auroral emission from the potentially habitable exoplanet Proxima Centauri b. This planet’s active, late-type M dwarf host makes detection of aurorae more favorable than […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Stellar Magnetism, Winds and Their Effects on Planetary Environments
I review some recent works on magnetism of cool, main-sequence stars, their winds and potential impact on surrounding exoplanets. The winds of these stars are very tenuous and persist during […]