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Impact of space weather on climate and habitability of terrestrial-type exoplanets
- V. S. Airapetian, R. Barnes, O. Cohen, G. A. Collinson, W. C. Danchi, C. F. Dong, A. D. Del Genio, K. France, K. Garcia-Sage, A. Glocer, N. Gopalswamy, J. L. Grenfell, G. Gronoff, M. Güdel, K. Herbst, W. G. Henning, C. H. Jackman, M. Jin, C. P. Johnstone, L. Kaltenegger, C. D. Kay, K. Kobayashi, W. Kuang, G. Li, B. J. Lynch, T. Lüftinger, J. G. Luhmann, H. Maehara, M. G. Mlynczak, Y. Notsu, R. A. Osten, R. M. Ramirez, S. Rugheimer, M. Scheucher, J. E. Schlieder, K. Shibata, C. Sousa-Silva, V. Stamenković, R. J. Strangeway, A. V. Usmanov, P. Vergados, O. P. Verkhoglyadova, A. A. Vidotto, M. Voytek, M. J. Way, G. P. Zank, Y. Yamashiki
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- Journal:
- International Journal of Astrobiology / Volume 19 / Issue 2 / April 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 31 July 2019, pp. 136-194
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The search for life in the Universe is a fundamental problem of astrobiology and modern science. The current progress in the detection of terrestrial-type exoplanets has opened a new avenue in the characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres and in the search for biosignatures of life with the upcoming ground-based and space missions. To specify the conditions favourable for the origin, development and sustainment of life as we know it in other worlds, we need to understand the nature of global (astrospheric), and local (atmospheric and surface) environments of exoplanets in the habitable zones (HZs) around G-K-M dwarf stars including our young Sun. Global environment is formed by propagated disturbances from the planet-hosting stars in the form of stellar flares, coronal mass ejections, energetic particles and winds collectively known as astrospheric space weather. Its characterization will help in understanding how an exoplanetary ecosystem interacts with its host star, as well as in the specification of the physical, chemical and biochemical conditions that can create favourable and/or detrimental conditions for planetary climate and habitability along with evolution of planetary internal dynamics over geological timescales. A key linkage of (astro)physical, chemical and geological processes can only be understood in the framework of interdisciplinary studies with the incorporation of progress in heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary and Earth sciences. The assessment of the impacts of host stars on the climate and habitability of terrestrial (exo)planets will significantly expand the current definition of the HZ to the biogenic zone and provide new observational strategies for searching for signatures of life. The major goal of this paper is to describe and discuss the current status and recent progress in this interdisciplinary field in light of presentations and discussions during the NASA Nexus for Exoplanetary System Science funded workshop ‘Exoplanetary Space Weather, Climate and Habitability’ and to provide a new roadmap for the future development of the emerging field of exoplanetary science and astrobiology.
Multidisciplinary integrated field campaign to an acidic Martian Earth analogue with astrobiological interest: Rio Tinto
- F. Gómez, N. Walter, R. Amils, F. Rull, A.K. Klingelhöfer, J. Kviderova, P. Sarrazin, B. Foing, A. Behar, I. Fleischer, V. Parro, M. Garcia-Villadangos, D. Blake, J.D. Martin Ramos, S. Direito, P. Mahapatra, C. Stam, K. Venkateswaran, M. Voytek
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- Journal:
- International Journal of Astrobiology / Volume 10 / Issue 3 / July 2011
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 24 February 2011, pp. 291-305
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Recently reported results from latest Mars Orbiters and Rovers missions are transforming our opinion about the red planet. That dry and inhospitable planet reported in the past is becoming a wetter planet with high probabilities of water existence in the past. Nowadays, some results seem to indicate the presence of water beneath the Mars surface. But also mineralogy studies by NASA Opportunity Rover report iron oxides and hydroxides precipitates on Endurance Crater. Sedimentary deposits have been identified at Meridiani Planum. These deposits must have generated in a dune aqueous acidic and oxidizing environment. Similarities appear when we study Rio Tinto, and acidic river under the control of iron.
The discovery of extremophiles on Earth widened the window of possibilities for life to develop in the Universe, and as a consequence on Mars and other planetary bodies with astrobiological interest. The compilation of data produced by the ongoing missions offers an interested view for life possibilities to exist: signs of an early wet Mars and rather recent volcanic activity as well as ground morphological characteristics that seem to be promoted by liquid water. The discovery of important accumulations of sulfates and the existence of iron minerals such as jarosite in rocks of sedimentary origin has allowed specific terrestrial models to come into focus. Río Tinto (Southwestern Spain, Iberian Pyritic Belt) is an extreme acidic environment, product of the chemolithotrophic activity of micro-organisms that thrive in the massive pyrite-rich deposits of the Iberian Pyritic Belt. Some particular protective environments should house the organic molecules and bacterial life forms in harsh environments such as Mars surface supporting microniches inside precipitated minerals or inside rocks. Terrestrial analogues could help us to afford the comprehension of habitability (on other planetary bodies).
We are reporting here the multidisciplinary study of some endolithic niches inside salt deposits used by phototrophs for taking advantage of sheltering particular light wavelengths. These acidic salts deposits located in Río Tinto shelter life forms that are difficult to visualize by eye. This interdisciplinary field analogue campaign was conducted in the framework of the CAREX FP7 EC programme.