Comparison of emission features for atmospheres with methylated biogenic gases around a K6V, M3.5Ve and M5V star. From top to bottom: CH3Cl, CH3Br, combination of CH3Cl and CH3Br for a […]
Biosignatures
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
Predicting Biosignatures For Nutrient Limited Biospheres
With the characterisations of potentially habitable planetary atmospheres on the horizon, the search for biosignatures is set to become a major area of research in the coming decades. To understand […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
Directional Aspects Of Vegetation Linear And Circular Polarization Biosignatures
Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life and is considered a universal and agnostic biosignature. Upon interaction with unpolarized light, homochirality induces fractional circular polarization in […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors
Curiosity Takes Inventory of Key Life Ingredient on Mars
Scientists using data from NASA’s Curiosity rover measured the total organic carbon – a key component in the molecules of life – in Martian rocks for the first time.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
The Futility of Exoplanet Biosignatures
The ultimate goal of astrobiology is to determine the distribution and diversity of life in the universe. But as the word “biosignature” suggests, what will be detected is not life […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
Ocean Signatures In The Total Flux And Polarization Spectra Of Earth-like Exoplanets
Numerical simulations of starlight that is reflected by Earth-like exoplanets predict habitability signatures that can be searched for with future telescopes. We explore signatures of water oceans in the flux […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Press Release
The Formation Of Abundant Features On Europa Bodes Well For The Search For Extraterrestrial Life
Europa is a prime candidate for life in our solar system, and its deep saltwater ocean has captivated scientists for decades. But it’s enclosed by an icy shell that could […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
New Color Catalog Aids Hunt For Life On Frozen Worlds
Aided by microbes found in the subarctic conditions of Canada’s Hudson Bay, an international team of scientists has created the first color catalog of icy planet surface signatures to uncover […]
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 inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release
DNA In Archaeological Sediments
The analysis of ancient DNA preserved in sediments is an emerging technology allowing for the detection of the past presence of humans and other animals at archaeological sites. Yet, little […]