Carbon monoxide (CO) degrading microorganisms are present in volcanic deposits throughout succession, with vegetation and soil influencing the communities present. The carboxydovores are a subset of CO degraders that use […]
biosignature
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return
There Will Be Martian Air Inside Those Sample Return Tubes
Atmospheric scientists get a little more excited with every rock core NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover seals in its titanium sample tubes, which are being gathered for eventual delivery to Earth […]
Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Commercial & Private Sector, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Status Report
Synechococcus sp. PCC7335 Responses To Far-red Enriched Spectra and Anoxic/microoxic Atmospheres: Potential for Astrobiotechnological Applications
Recently, cyanobacteria have gained attention in space exploration to support long-term crewed missions via Bioregenerative Life Support Systems. In this frame, cyanobacteria would provide biomass and profitable biomolecules through oxygenic […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Career Opportunities, Press Release, SETI & Technosignatures
SETI Institute Launches Groundbreaking Technosignature Science and Technology
The SETI Institute is announcing the launch of a pioneering grants program dedicated to advancing technosignature science. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to support innovative research addressing critical observational, theoretical, and […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Reconnaissance Of Potentially Habitable Worlds With Webb Space Telescope
Exoplanets are common in our galaxy, and some even orbit in the so-called habitable zone of their star. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has been busy observing a few of […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Proxima Centauri, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report, TRAPPIST-1
Lethal Surface Ozone Concentrations Are Possible On Habitable Zone Exoplanets
Ozone (O3) is important for the survival of life on Earth because it shields the surface from ionising ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, the existence of O3 in Earth’s atmosphere is […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: The Limits, Capabilities, and Potential for Life Detection with MinION Sequencing in a Paleochannel Mars Analog
No instrument capable of direct life detection has been included on a mission payload to Mars since NASA’s Viking missions in the 1970s. This prevents us from discovering whether life […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Uncovering A Multibillion-year Epic Written Into The Chemistry Of Life
The origin of life on Earth has long been a mystery that has eluded scientists. A key question is how much of the history of life on Earth is lost […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, SETI & Technosignatures, Status Report
Detectability of Solar Panels as a Technosignature
In this work, we assess the potential detectability of solar panels made of silicon on an Earth-like exoplanet as a potential technosignature. Silicon-based photovoltaic cells have high reflectance in the […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Super-Earths and Earth-like Exoplanets
In the last few years astronomical surveys have expanded the reach of planetary science into the realm of small and dense extrasolar worlds. These share a number of characteristics with […]