Recent miniaturization of electronics in very small, low-cost and low-power configurations suitable for use in spacecraft have inspired innovative small-scale satellite concepts, such as ChipSats, centimeter-scale satellites with a mass […]
astro-ph.IM
Posted inPress Release, SETI & Technosignatures
A SETI Survey Of The Vela Region Using The Murchison Widefield Array: Orders Of Magnitude Expansion In Search Space
Following the results of our previous low frequency searches for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), directed toward the Galactic Centre and the Orion Molecular Cloud (Galactic […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Detecting The Elemental And Molecular Signatures Of Life: Laser-based Mass Spectrometry Technologies
The identification of extraterrestrial life is one the most exciting and challenging endeavors in space research. The existence of extinct or extant life can be inferred from biogenic elements, isotopes, […]
Posted inMars, Press Release
Chemical Guidance in the Search for Past and Extant Life on Mars
NASA should design missions to Mars for the purpose of generating “Aha!” discoveries to jolt scientists contemplating the molecular origins of life. These missions should be designed with an understanding […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Sample Return
Cryogenic Cometary Sample Return
Comets likely formed in the outer regions of the protosolar nebula where they incorporated and preserved primitive presolar materials, volatiles resident in the outer disk, and more refractory materials from […]
Posted inMars, Press Release
Potential for Observing Methane on Mars Using Earth-based Extremely Large Telescopes
The Red Planet has fascinated humans for millennia, especially for the last few centuries, and particularly during the Space Age. The nagging suspicion of extant Martian life is both fed […]
Posted inPress Release, Titan
The Science Case For A Titan Flagship-class Orbiter With Probes
We outline a flagship-class mission concept focused on studying Titan as a global system, with particular emphasis on the polar regions. Investigating Titan from the unique standpoint of a polar […]
Posted inPress Release, SETI & Technosignatures
Planck Frequencies As Schelling Points In SETI
In SETI, when searching for “beacons” — transmissions intended for us and meant to get our attention — one must guess the appropriate frequency to search by considering what frequencies […]
Posted inPress Release, Venus
Venus As A Nearby Exoplanetary Laboratory
The key goals of the astrobiology community are to identify environments beyond Earth that may be habitable, and to search for signs of life in those environments. A fundamental aspect […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
LOUPE: Observing Earth From The Moon To Prepare For Detecting life On Earth-like Exoplanets
LOUPE, the Lunar Observatory for Unresolved Polarimetry of the Earth, is a small, robust spectro-polarimeter with a mission to observe the Earth as an exoplanet. Detecting Earth-like planets in stellar […]