habitabile zone Archives - Astrobiology

PANEL (A): Diagram of the net tidal accelerations acting on the planetary surface (caused by the host star’s gravity field). The planet is represented with a top view (i.e., as seen from above). Accelerations are computed in the reference frame of the planetary center. PANEL (B): Representation of the tidal bulge. The planet is represented with a top view. Planetary spinning (black arrow) is counterclockwise, as is the orbital motion around the star (red arrow). -- astro-ph.EP

Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Simulation Of The Spin Evolution Of Some Selected Exoplanets And Inferences On Their Climate

by Keith CowingMay 20, 2026May 20, 2026

In this work, using the simulator VPLanet, we analyze the spin evolution of some selected exoplanets due to the tidal interaction with their host star.

Strength of key long-term feedbacks governing Earth’s climate system (D. S. Abbot 2016; D. D. B. Koll & T. W. Cronin 2018; C. W. Arnscheidt & D. H. Rothman 2020; P. Forster et al. 2021). Each bar represents the feedback parameter in W m−2 K−1, estimated from Earth system model assessments and paleoclimate constraints. The upper axis shows the approximate feedback strength associated with a 50 K climate perturbation, representative of transitions between major states (e.g., snowball to temperate). Feedbacks are sorted by magnitude. Negative values (blue) represent stabilizing feedback that dampens temperature changes, while positive values (orange) indicate destabilizing feedback that amplifies them. Outgoing longwave radiation and the carbonate–silicate cycle are among the strongest stabilizing processes, while the ice–albedo feedback exerts a strong destabilizing influence. Models incorporating the three dominant types of feedback explain the general behavior of Earth’s long-term mean climate. -- The Planetary Science Journal

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Status Report

Not Earth-like Yet Temperate? More Generic Climate Feedback Configurations Still Allow Temperate Climates in Habitable Zone Exo-Earth Candidates

by Keith CowingMarch 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Earth’s climate is influenced by over a dozen types of feedback, but only three dominate its long-term climate behavior. Models of the exoplanet habitable zone (HZ) assume that this is […]

Enhanced view of Enceladus’ South pole region showing the locations of organic-rich geysers in blue [Source: NASA]

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Saturn

Catalog And Characterization Of Science Orbit Configurations For An Enceladus Orbiter

by Keith CowingOctober 15, 2025October 15, 2025

Saturn’s moon Enceladus is an exciting destination for future exploration missions due to the scientifically interesting geyser region located on its South pole.

a, Orbital context image with the rover traverse overlain in white. White line and arrows show the direction of the rover traverse from the southern contact between the Margin Unit and Neretva Vallis to the Bright Angel outcrop area and then to the Masonic Temple outcrop area. Labelled orange triangles show the locations of proximity science targets discussed in the text. b, Mastcam-Z 360° image mosaic looking at the contact between the light-toned Bright Angel Formation (foreground) and the topographically higher-standing Margin Unit from within the Neretva Vallis channel. This mosaic was collected on sol 1178 from the location of the Walhalla Glades target before abrasion. Upslope, about 110 m distant, the approximate location of the Beaver Falls workspace (containing the targets Cheyava Falls, Apollo Temple and Steamboat Mountain and the Sapphire Canyon sample) is shown. Downslope, about 50 m distant, the approximate location of the target Grapevine Canyon is also shown. In the distance, at the southern side of Neretva Vallis, the Masonic Temple outcrop area is just visible. Mastcam-Z enhanced colour RGB cylindrical projection mosaic from sol 1178, sequence IDs zcam09219 and zcam09220, acquired at 63-mm focal length. A flyover of this area is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FAYABW-c_Q. Scale bars (white), 100 m (a), 50 m (b, top) and 50 cm (b, bottom left). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS.

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Potential Biosignatures Found In An Ancient Mars Lake

by Keith CowingSeptember 11, 2025September 18, 2025

A new study suggests a habitable past and signs of ancient microbial processes on Mars – and Imperial scientists provided crucial context.

Impact velocities and first contact pressures relevant to OW for ice (solid, black) and basalt (dashed, gray) projectiles into ice targets at a representative span of impact angles between 15° and 75°. Shock studies of biota (green) or biologically relevant molecules (black) shown along the y-axes; impactors in the inner solar system shown at the top for context. Vertical orange, teal, and magenta bars indicate the average impact velocity of heliocentric impactors calculated by Zahnle et al. (2008); Nesvorný et al. (2023)a; Martins et al. (2013)b; Goldman et al. (2010)c; Blank et al. (2001)d; Furukawa et al. (2015)e; Horneck et al. (2001); Burchell (2007); Stöffler et al. (2007); Burchell et al. (2014)f; Traspas & Burchell 2021 g; O’Brien & Sykes (2011)h; Le Feuvre & Wieczorek (2008). -- Planetary Science Journal

Enceladus, Europa, Extinction events, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Impact events, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Impacts on Ocean Worlds Are Sufficiently Frequent and Energetic to Be of Astrobiological Importance

by Keith CowingAugust 12, 2025

Evidence for the beneficial role of impacts in the creation of urable or habitable environments on Earth prompts the question of whether meteorite impacts could play a similar role at […]