[astro-ph.EP]. Most lunar surface conditions are incredibly harsh for microbial survival. High ultraviolet radiation, temperatures, and energetic particle radiation limit survival over most unprotected lunar surfaces, particularly in equatorial regions […]
Lunar
![The PM showing the mounted SHAPE instrument (left) along with the zoomed in view (right). Three major sub-systems are also marked. -- [astro-ph.IM]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Shaping-SHAPE.png?resize=1200%2C714&ssl=1)
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Shaping SHAPE – A Spectro-polarimeter Onboard Chandrayaan-3 To Observe Earth As An Exoplanet
[astro-ph.IM] Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) is an experimental instrument onboard the Propulsion Module (Orbiter) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, designed to perform disc-integrated spectro-polarimetric observations of Earth from lunar […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Missions & Hardware, Moon, SETI & Technosignatures, Status Report
First Lunar Farside SETI Observations for Periodic Signals With The Low-frequency Radio Spectrometer Of Chang’E-4 Mission
Chang’E-4 (CE4), the first mission to soft-land on the lunar farside, provides a unique opportunity for astronomical observations from an environment shielded from terrestrial radio interference, and thus serves as […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Missions & Hardware, Moon, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
LEAG-ExMAG Artemis Sample Return SAT Reports Now Available
The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) and Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG), were requested and empowered by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Planetary Science Division (PSD) to establish a […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Moon, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science
Towards Farming On The Moon
To stay long-term on the Moon humans will need to produce food there. Is it possible to grow plants in environments very different from earth? With support from the Discovery […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Press Release
ESA Away Team Training: Lunar Geology Lessons For Artemis
Editor’s note: when it comes to conducting field trips – sorties – Away Team missions – on another world, astrogeology and astrobiology and astrochemistry overlap with one another all the […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Gravitational Biology, Life Support Systems, Missions & Hardware, Moon, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture
Lunar Soil Could Support Life On The Moon
Scientists have developed a technology that may help humans survive on the Moon. In a study publishing July 16 in the Cell Press journal Joule, researchers extracted water from lunar […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Moon, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrochemistry: Prospectivity Modeling of the NASA VIPER Landing Site at Mons Mouton near the Lunar South Pole
We use a high-resolution digital elevation model and a numerical thermal model to produce a variety of inputs for a water-ice prospectivity model for the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Interstellar, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Moon, Status Report
Polycyclic Aromatics In The Chang’E 5 Lunar Soils
Polycyclic aromatics are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and meteorites, yet the search for lunar polycyclic aromatics remains a significant challenge.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Moon, Press Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics
The Solar Wind Can Apparently Make Water On The Lunar Surface
Scientists have hypothesized since the 1960s that the Sun is a source of ingredients that form water on the Moon. When a stream of charged particles known as the solar […]