Small planets transiting bright nearby stars are essential to our understanding of the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems. However, few constitute prime targets for atmospheric characterization, and even fewer […]
habitability
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Mars, Status Report, Venus
The Evolutionary Divergence Of Mars, Venus and Earth
Mars, Venus and Earth are expected to have started in a hot molten state. Here, we discuss how these three terrestrial planets diverged in their evolution and what mechanisms could […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Venus
To Find Life In The Universe, Look To Deadly Venus
Despite surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead, lava-spewing volcanoes, and puffy clouds of sulfuric acid, uninhabitable Venus offers vital lessons about the potential for life on other planets, a […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Io, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Radio Observations As An Extrasolar Planet Discovery and Characterization: Interior Structure and Habitability
Detection of radio emission from Jupiter was identified quickly as being due to its planetary-scale magnetic field. Subsequent spacecraft investigations have revealed that many of the planets, and even some […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Inclination Instability Of Circumbinary Planets
We analyze a tilt instability of the orbit of an outer planet in a two planet circumbinary system that we recently reported.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture
How Soil Microbes Survive In Harsh Desert Environments
Prolonged droughts followed by sudden bursts of rainfall – how do desert soil bacteria manage to survive such harsh conditions?
Posted inAstrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report
Habitability Constraints By Nutrient Availability In Atmospheres Of Rocky Exoplanets
Life as we know it requires the presence of liquid water and the availability of nutrients, which are mainly based on the elements C, H, N, O, P, and S […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Ultraviolet And Chromospheric Activity And Habitability Of M Stars
M-type stars are crucial for stellar activity studies since they cover two types of magnetic dynamos and particularly intriguing for habitability studies due to their abundance and long lifespans during […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
JWST COMPASS: NIRSpec/G395H Transmission Observations of the Super-Earth TOI-836b
We present two transit observations of the ~870K, 1.7RE super-Earth TOI-836b with JWST NIRSpec/G395H, resulting in a 2.8-5.2μm transmission spectrum. Using two different reduction pipelines, we obtain a median transit […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report, Stellar Cartography
Principles Of Heliophysics: A Textbook On The Universal Processes Behind Planetary Habitability
Heliophysics is the system science of the physical connections between the Sun and the solar system. As the physics of the local cosmos, it embraces space weather and planetary habitability.