prebiosignatures Archives

Schematic of the post-impact scenario for prebiotic atmospheres (Genda et al. 2017; Zahnle et al. 2020; Wogan et al. 2023). In this scenario, reducing power is delivered to the surface-atmosphere system by reaction of an iron-rich meteor with the planetary ocean, generating a transient Miller-Urey type atmosphere. We anticipate such atmospheres to be strongly distinguishable by HWO observations through their copious concentrations of reducing species (Goodis Gordon et al. 2025). However, we also anticipate such atmospheres to be rare due to their transient nature, and a sample of 25 planets is unlikely to capture them. Figure taken from Wogan et al. (2023). -- astro-ph.IM

Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Prebiosignatures With The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO)

by Keith CowingJuly 2, 2025July 2, 2025

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) aims to characterize habitable exoplanets in search of signs of life. However, detectable life may be rare, either because abiogenesis is intrinsically contingent and unlikely, […]

Reproduced from Rimmer et al. (2021b). Primary spectral features of a selection of prebiosignature molecules at JWST-probable wavelengths. The icons represent major physical and geochemical sources of the molecules, with primary prebiosignatures being directly associated with prebiotic chemistry. The species included are carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), imidazole (C3N2H4), cyanamide (CH2N2), nitric oxide (NO), methane (CH4), acetylene (C2H2), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). We include all of these except imidazole and cyanamide in our study. We also investigate ammonia and formaldehyde as potential prebiosignatures. Transparency indicates the strength of the features, with weaker features being more transparent. CME = Coronal Mass Ejection. -- astro-ph.EP

Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Prebiosignature Molecules Can Be Detected In Temperate Exoplanet Atmospheres With JWST

by Keith CowingJune 5, 2023June 5, 2023

The search for biosignatures on exoplanets connects the fields of biology and biochemistry to astronomical observation, with the hope that we might detect evidence of active biological processes on worlds […]