The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 has recommended that NASA realize a large IR/optical/UV space telescope optimized for high-contrast imaging and spectroscopy of ∼25 exo-Earths and transformative general […]
habitability
Posted inAnalog Studies, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Retrievals Applied to a Decision Tree Framework Can Characterize Earthlike Exoplanet Analogs
Exoplanet characterization missions planned for the future will soon enable searches for life beyond our solar system. Critical to the search will be the development of life detection strategies that […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Formation of Planetary Atmospheres: Analytical Estimation Of Vapor Production via Planetary Impacts
To investigate impact vaporization for planetary atmosphere formation, we have studied the thermodynamic state generated by the shock wave due to a high-velocity impact, called the shock field.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Magnetic Fields of M Dwarfs from the Pleiades Open Cluster
Average magnetic field measurements are presented for 62 M-dwarf members of the Pleiades open cluster, derived from Zeeman-enhanced Fe I lines in the H-band. An MCMC methodology was employed to […]
![The [Mg/Si]-[C/O] diagram for the M dwarf sample (overlying orange dots) and GK dwarf sample (underlying colourful dots in density). An ODR fit is applied to the M dwarf sample, with the best fit shown in the solid line and 1σ and 2σ error intervals shown in dash and dot lines (in brown), respectively. The regression parameters are also shown on the plot. A Student’s t-test is also applied to test the significance of the slope different from zero, and the resultant p-value is less than 0.001. -- astro-ph.SR](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Towards-Characterising-Rocky-Worlds.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Towards Characterising Rocky Worlds: Trends In Chemical Make-ups Of M dwarfs Versus GK dwarfs
Elemental abundances of Sun-like stars are crucial for understanding the detailed properties of their planets. However, measuring elemental abundances in M stars is challenging due to their faintness and pervasive […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Mars, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Venus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Gliese 12 b: Earth Twin or Evil Twin
The discovery of a planet similar to Venus around a star in the neighborhood of the Solar System raises hopes that astronomers may someday unlock the secret to why life […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Status Report
Adaptive Habitability of Exoplanets: Thriving Under Extreme Environmental Change
The dynamic nature of life’s ability to thrive in diverse and changing planetary environments suggests that habitability and survival depend on the evolutionary path and life adaptation to environmental conditions. […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Water Evolution and Inventories of Super-Earths Orbiting Late M-Dwarfs
Super-Earths orbiting M-dwarf stars may be the most common habitable planets in the Universe. However, their habitability is threatened by intense irradiation from their host stars, which drives the escape […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Siderite and Vivianite as Energy Sources for the Extreme Acidophilic Bacterium Acidithiobacillus Ferrooxidans in the Context of Mars Habitability
Past and present habitability of Mars have been intensely studied in the context of the search for signals of life. Despite the harsh conditions observed today on the planet, some […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release, Venus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Interior Convection Regime, Host Star Luminosity, And Predicted Atmospheric CO2 Abundance In Terrestrial Exoplanets
Terrestrial planets in the Habitable Zone of Sun-like stars are priority targets for detection and observation by the next generation of powerful space telescopes.