The atmospheres of rocky exoplanets are close to being characterized by astronomical observations, in part due to the commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope. These observations compel us to […]
astro-ph.EP
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
TOI-1452 b: SPIRou And TESS Reveal A Super-Earth In A Temperate Orbit Transiting An M4 Dwarf
Exploring the properties of exoplanets near or inside the radius valley provides insights on the transition from the rocky super-Earths to the larger, hydrogen-rich atmosphere mini-Neptunes. Here, we report the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report, Titan
Vertical Distribution Of Cyclopropenylidene And Propadiene In The Atmosphere Of Titan
Titan’s atmosphere is a natural laboratory for exploring the photochemical synthesis of organic molecules.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Assessing Planetary Complexity and Potential Agnostic Biosignatures Using Epsilon Machines
We present a new approach to exoplanet characterisation using techniques from complexity science, with potential applications to biosignature detection.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Oxygen False Positives On Habitable Zone Planets Around Sun-Like Stars
Oxygen is a promising exoplanet biosignature due to the evolutionary advantage conferred by harnessing starlight for photosynthesis, and the apparent low likelihood of maintaining oxygen-rich atmospheres without life.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Deimos, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Phobos, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Microbial Contamination: Sample Return from Mars Moons: Departure of Microbes From Mars’ Surface
Potential microbial contamination of Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, which can be brought about by transportation of Mars ejecta produced by meteoroid impacts on the Martian surface, has been comprehensively […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Deimos, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Microbial Contamination: Sample Return From Mars Moons: The Fate of Microbes on Martian Moons
This paper presents a case study of microbe transportation in the Mars-satellites system. We examined the spatial distribution of potential impact-transported microbes on the Martian moons using impact physics by […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
The Role of Carbon in Extrasolar Planetary Geodynamics and Habitability
he proportions of oxygen, carbon and major rock-forming elements (e.g. Mg, Fe, Si) determine a planet’s dominant mineralogy. Variation in a planet’s mineralogy subsequently affects planetary mantle dynamics as well […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general)
Sustainability and the Astrobiological Perspective: Framing Human Futures in a Planetary Context
We explore how questions related to developing a sustainable human civilization can be cast in terms of astrobiology. In particular we show how ongoing astrobiological studies of the coupled relationship […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Evidence for Water in the Rocky Debris of a Disrupted Extrasolar Minor Planet
The existence of water in extrasolar planetary systems is of great interest as it constrains the potential for habitable planets and life. Here, we report the identification of a circumstellar […]