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September 29, 2008
September 25, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 25 September 2008
September 24, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 24 September 2008
- Deep MMT Transit Survey of the Open Cluster M37 IV: Limit on the Fraction of Stars With Planets as Small as 0.3 R_J, astro-ph
- Extrasolar planets and brown dwarfs around A-F type stars V. A planetary system found with HARPS around the F6IV-V star HD 60532, astro-ph
- The structure of the protoplanetary disk surrounding three young intermediate mass stars. II. Spatially resolved dust and gas distribution, astro-ph
- Cryptic photosynthesis, Extrasolar planetary oxygen without a surface biological signature, astro-ph
September 23, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 23 September 2008
- Mean motion resonances from planet-planet scattering, astro-ph
- A Young Planet Search in Visible and IR Light: DN Tau, V836 Tau, and V827 Tau, astro-ph
- A comparison of chemistry and dust cloud formation in ultracool dwarf model atmospheres, astro-ph
- Water in the Near IR spectrum of Comet 8P/Tuttle, astro-ph
- The Growth & Migration of Jovian Planets in Evolving Protostellar Disks with Dead Zone, astro-ph
September 22, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 22 September 2008
- RISE: a fast-readout imager for exoplanet transit timing, astro-ph
- Comet Dust Reveals Unexpected Mixing of Solar System, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- As Andean glacier retreats, tiny life forms swiftly move in, CU-Boulder study shows, University of Colorado
- VLT instrument hints at the presence of planets in young gas discs, European Southern Observatory
September 21, 2008
NASA Funding Opportunity: Carcinogenesis & Central Nervous System Risks from Space Radiation
This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA) solicits proposals for NASA Specialized Centers of Research (NSCOR) in support of the Space Radiation Program Element within the Human Research Program. NNJ08ZSA003N, entitled, " NASA Specialized Centers of Research (NSCORs): Carcinogenesis and Central Nervous System Risks from Space Radiation."
The central focus of this solicitation is research that will provide the basis for improved estimation and uncertainty reduction for solid cancer, leukemia and central nervous system (CNS) risks from space radiation. In addition the discovery of biological countermeasure approaches to reduce solid cancer risks from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) is a focus. To be responsive to this research solicitation, proposed studies should be hypothesis-driven using cutting edge approaches that will lead to new knowledge within accepted scientific standards. Purely phenomenological approaches with no significant mechanistic basis or likely gain in scientific knowledge will not be funded.
An NSCOR consists of a team of investigators who have complementary skills and who work together to solve a closely focused set of research questions. The home laboratories of NSCOR team members may be geographically contiguous or dispersed, as long as the NSCOR team members have a mechanism for working together. The research must be focused on experimental studies simulating space radiation biological effects using the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY.
The full text of the solicitation is available on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ under menu listing "Open Solicitations." Potential applicants are urged to access this site well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and to register in the system. Proposals must be compliant with respect to all sections of this NRA or they will be declined without review. Proposals must be submitted electronically. Proposals are due January 15, 2009.
This email is being sent on behalf of and is intended as an information announcement to researchers associated with the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Human Research Program (HRP).
Thank you for your continued interest in NASA. Replies to this email will go unanswered, please reference the above solicitation for contact information.
September 20, 2008
NASA NRA NNH08ZTT003N Submission Deadline Extended until September 24, 2008
Due to the hardship caused by Hurricane Ike to institutions on the Gulf Coast, NASA is again extending the deadline for the NASA Research Announcement NNH08ZTT003N NRA: Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology from September 19, 2008 to September 24, 2008.
September 19, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 19 September 2008
Molecules in the Atmospheres of Extrasolar Planets - A Workshop in Paris
WHEN: November 19, 2008 (Wed) ~ November 21, 2008 (Fri)
WHERE: Salle Cassini, Observatoire Paris, Paris, France
Exoplanets are being discovered at an ever accelerating pace, and planetary scientists and astronomers are increasingly called upon to make the transition from discovery to characterization. This workshop aims at bringing together different scientific communities: solar system planetary scientists, brown dwarf and exoplanet modellers and observers, molecular spectroscopy and instrument development experts.
We will cover different topics: radiative transfer, line lists, photochemical models, dynamics, and observations using space- and ground-based facilities. Current results will be discussed in the context of the preparation of upcoming missions, SPITZER, JWST, and SPICA, and the next generation of direct detection mission concepts from ground and space.
Posted by: Daniella Scalice, NASA Astrobiology
September 17, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 17 September 2008
September 14, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 15 September 2008
- TiO and VO broad band absorption features in the optical spectrum of the atmosphere of the hot-Jupiter HD209458b, astro-ph
- Atmospheric circulation of hot Jupiters: Coupled radiative-dynamical general circulation model simulations of HD 189733b and HD 209458b, astro-ph
- The eccentric behavior of inclined binary minor planets, astro-ph
September 12, 2008
Leadership change for NASA Astrobiology
Dr. Mary A. Voytek, a microbiologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, VA, takes charge of NASA's Astrobiology Program effective September 15 as Interim Senior Scientist for Astrobiology in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA HQ.
Dr. Voytek takes over from Dr. John Rummel, who served as Senior Scientist for Astrobiology from late 2006 to August 2008. Dr. Rummel has taken a position with East Carolina University as Director of its Institute for Coastal Science and Policy.
Under Dr. Rummel's leadership, the NASA Astrobiology Program recovered from the $31.3 million reduced-funding level imposed on it in Fiscal Year 2006 to the approximately $50 million level anticipated for FY 2009.
Dr. Voytek, who has also served as a member of the NASA Advisory Council's Planetary Protection Subcommitee, joins the ongoing HQ Astrobiology Program team of Drs. Michael New and Natasha Johnson. In addition, Dr. Catharine Conley, NASA's Planetary Protection Officer (acting), has joined the team as Program Scientist for the Astrobiology Small Payloads program established under NASA's omnibus Science Mission Directorate's Stand-Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice announcement of opportunity.
Dr. Voytek's primary research interest is aquatic microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. She studies environmental controls on microbial transformations of nutrients, xenobiotics, and metals in freshwater and marine systems. She has worked in several extreme environments including Antarctica, hypersaline lakes, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and terrestrial deep- subsurface sites. At the USGS, she heads the Microbiology and Molecular Ecology team (http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/microbiology/index.html). She has conducted deep-biosphere studies at the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure (http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/microbiology/chesapeakeimpact_md.html). The most recent results of this research project were published in the June 27, 2008, issue of Science.
Change in proposal due date for NNH08ZTT003N NRA
Change in proposal due date for NNH08ZTT003N NRA: Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology
Due to the hardship caused by Hurricane Ike to institutions on the Gulf Coast, NASA is extending the deadline for the NASA Research Announcement NNH08ZTT003N, "Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology" from September 15, 2008 to September 19, 2008. Please note that no further extensions will be granted.
This email is being sent on behalf of and is intended as an information announcement to researchers interested in NASA's Fundamental Space Biology research. Replies to this email will go unanswered, please reference the above solicitation for contact information.
ROSES-08 Amendment 26: Several ROSES due dates extended
This amendment delays the proposal due dates for three program element of ROSES-2008: Earth Science for Decision Making: Gulf of Mexico Region (Appendix A.28), Outer Planets Research (Appendix C.7), and Astrobiology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology (Appendix C.17).
Earth Science for Decision Making: Gulf of Mexico Region (Appendix A.28) and Astrobiology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology (Appendix C.17) are being delayed in recognition of the severe difficulties that our colleagues in the Gulf of Mexico region are experiencing due to recent hurricanes. This change will allow additional proposal preparation time for proposers who may have been impacted by Hurricane Gustav and other hurricanes and tropical storms so that all proposers may prepare high-quality, responsive proposals. Outer Planets Research (Appendix C.7) is being delayed by two weeks to accommodate a delay in announcing selection decisions for some proposals submitted last year and to avoid conflicts with the 40th meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences.
The new due date for Appendix A.28, Earth Science for Decision Making: Gulf of Mexico Region, is October 30.
The new due date for Appendix C.7, Outer Planets Research, is November 14, 2008.
The new due date for Appendix C.17, Astrobiology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology, is September 26, 2008.
On or about September 12, 2008, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2008" (NNH08ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH08ZDA001N").
Further information about the Earth Science for Decision Making: Gulf of Mexico Region program element is available from Mr. John Haynes, Applied Sciences Program, Earth Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-4665; E-mail: JHaynes@nasa.gov.
Further information about the Astrobiology: Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology program element is available from Dr. Michael H. New, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-1766; E-mail: Michael.H.New@nasa.gov.
Further information about the Outer Planets Research program element is available from Dr. Curt Niebur, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: 202-358-0390; E-mail: Curt.Niebur@nasa.gov.
September 11, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 11 September 2008
- The Signature of the Ice Line and Modest Type I Migration in the Observed Exoplanet Mass-Semimajor Axis Distribution, astro-ph
- New Observations and a Possible Detection of Parameter Variations in the Transits of Gliese 436b, astro-ph
- Atmospheric Circulation of Hot Jupiters: A Shallow Three-Dimensional Model, astro-ph
- Meteorites and the physico-chemical conditions in the early solar nebula, astro-ph
- Discovery of lake-effect clouds on Titan, astro-ph
- Planetary Transits and Tidal Evolution, astro-ph
September 10, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 10 September 2008
- Discovery of lake-effect clouds on Titan, astro-ph
- Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of a Planetary Mass Candidate Companion to a Young Solar Analog, astro-ph
- Carriers of the mid-IR emission bands in PNe reanalysed. Evidence of a link between circumstellar and interstellar aromatic dust, astro-ph
- The 5.25 & 5.7 $\mu$m Astronomical Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emission Features, astro-ph
- Water, O2 and Ice in Molecular Clouds, astro-ph
Bright Star, Extrasolar Planet, Debris Belt
NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4691
NICMOS Confirmation of an Extrasolar Panet Candidate Directly Detected with ACS
With ACS/HRC coronagraphy, we have achieved the direct detection of a planet candidate in F606W and F814W around a bright nearby star with a debris belt. The planet candidate lies 18 astronomical units interior to the dust belt and we detect counterclockwise orbital motion in observations separated by 1.75 years. The candidate has mass no greater than three Jupiter masses based on an analysis of its luminosity and the dynamical argument that a significantly more massive object would disrupt the dust belt.
Using recent model predictions for 100-300 Myr old planetary atmospheres, the planet candidate has a temperature of ~400 K and a mass 1.6 - 3.4 M_J. Variability at optical wavelengths suggests additional sources of luminosity such as H-alpha emission or the episodic accretion of cometary material. A key surprise is that the planet candidate is NOT detected in Keck adaptive optics observations at 1.6 microns. Two model atmospheres predict a flux a few times greater than our detection limit, though the model predictions disagree with each other by a factor of five due to theoretical uncertainty in the strength of CH4 vibrational bands. These models predict the strongest emission centered on the F110W passband of NICMOS such that the F814W - F110W color will be red. Here we propose follow-up NICMOS observations to verify that the emission observed in F814W is due to the emergent flux from passive cooling of the planet, as opposed to other explanations, such as reflected light from a Saturn analog with a circumplanetary debris disk that would produce a bluer F814W - F110W color. Additional deep images in and and out of the 1.14 micron water trough using NIC1 narrowband filters will test whether or not the emission is produced from the passive cooling of a young massive planet.
September 9, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 9 September 2008
- Formation of Jupiter and Conditions for Accretion of the Galilean Satellites, astro-ph
- Next Mars Soil Scoop Slated for Last of Lander's Wet Lab Cells, NASA
- Unique animal species can survive in space, Swedish Research Foundation
September 8, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 8 September 2008
September 4, 2008
Courses and Conferences: Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices
Oct. 7-9, 2008
Location: Center of Marine Biotechnology, 701 East Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202
NASA has developed this course on planetary protection policies and practices to familiarize current and future practitioners with NASA and COSPAR planetary protection programs. The course provides a comprehensive review of all applicable policies, practices and procedures necessary to implement a successful planetary protection program, emphasizing integration of managerial, administrative, and laboratory aspects of planetary protection.
This course is designed for managers, engineers, designers, lab technicians, and others interested in learning about the theory behind and application of planetary protection principles. Participants learn how the work of personnel with diverse skills and responsibilities is coordinated to implement planetary protection programs. This course provides hands-on laboratory training in microbial sampling and data management. The course is taught by experts in the field with years of practical experience in all aspects of planetary protection.
Registration Deadline: Sept 22, 2008
For more information: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/files/brochure2008.pdf [Source: NAI Newsletter]
Carl Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowships in Exoplanet Exploration
The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute announces the introduction of the Sagan Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and solicits applications for fellowships to begin in the fall of 2009.
The Sagan Fellowships support outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the science goals of the NASA Exoplanet Exploration area. The primary goal of missions within this program is to discover and characterize planetary systems and Earth-like planets around nearby stars.
The proposed research may be theoretical, observational, or instrumental. This program is open to applicants of any nationality who have earned (or will have earned) their doctoral degrees on or after January 1, 2006, in astronomy, physics, or related disciplines. The fellowships are tenable at U.S. host institutions of the fellows' choice, subject to a maximum of one new fellow per host institution per year. The duration of the fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds.
It is anticipated that 3 - 4 fellowships will be awarded in 2009. Please note that these are postdoctoral Fellowships only. Previous Michelson Fellowship holders are fully eligible to apply.
The Announcement of Opportunity (AO), which includes detailed program policies and application instructions, will be available by September 15, 2008. Applicants must follow the instructions given in the AO. Inquiries about the Sagan Fellowships may be directed to Dr. Dawn Gelino (dawn-at-ipac.caltech.edu).
The deadline for both applications and letters of reference is Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 4 PM PST. Offers will be made before February 1, 2009, and new appointments are expected to begin on or about September 1, 2009.
For more information: http://nexsci.caltech.edu/sagan/fellowship.shtml [Source: NAI Newsletter]
NAI/NASA Postdoctoral Program application deadline November 1, 2008
The NAI supports postdoctoral fellows hosted at NAI teams through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP). The NPP provides talented postdoctoral scientists and engineers with valuable opportunities to engage in ongoing NASA research programs and serves as a source of talent to ensure the continued quality of the NASA research workforce. The deadline for the next round of applications is November 1. For more information on the program, please see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/ and http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc. [Source: NAI Newsletter]
Marine Subsurface is a Distinct Microbial Habitat
Researchers from NAI's Penn State, MBL, and UCLA Teams have completed a study of the subseafloor marine biosphere, which may be one of the largest reservoirs of microbial biomass on Earth, and which has recently been the subject of debate in terms of the composition of its microbial inhabitants. Their metagenomic analysis indicates that the subsurface environment is the most unique studied to date, distinct in its microbial make-up from the surface waters.
The slowly-metabolizing populations may be akin to what could be found on other planets in our solar system, because such environments have much less energy available than on Earth. And, because they are so deeply buried, these microbes could have survived major Earth impacts, and ensuing extinction events. Their results are published in the July 23rd Early Edition of PNAS [Source: NAI Newsletter].
Iron Isotope Record Reflects Microbial Metabolism Through Time
NAI's University of Wisconsin team presents a review of iron isotope fingerprints created through biogeochemical cycling in the May, 2008 issue of The Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. This landmark paper brings together for the first time the co-evolution records of photosynthesis, bacterial sulfate reduction, and bacterial iron reduction in the early Earth. They review data on natural systems and experiments, looking at both abiological and biological processes, and conclude that the temporal carbon, sulfur, and iron isotope record reflects the interplay of changing microbial metabolisms over Earth's history. [Source: NAI Newsletter]
Silicate Mineralogy on Mars Indicates Wet Past
Using data from the CRISM instrument on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, astrobiologists from NAI's SETI Institute and Marine Biological Laboratory teams present findings of silicate mineralogy indicating a wide range of past aqueous activity in the Mawrth Vallis on Mars. This work, published in the August 8 issue of Science, suggests that abundant water was once present on Mars and that hydrothermal activity may have occurred. The Mawrith Vallis could be a landing site for future rover missions to Mars. [Source: NAI Newsletter]
Jack Hills Zircons: New Information About Earth's Earliest Crust
Members of NAI's University of Wisconsin, Madison team have a new paper in Earth and Planetary Science Letters presenting their analyses of 4.35 - 3.36 billion year old detrital zircons from the Jack Hills, Western Australia.
Their data reveal relatively high lithium abundances compared to other zircons, as well as lithium isotope ratios that are similar to continental crust weathering products rather than ocean floor basalts. The results support the hypothesis that continental-type crust and oceans existed by 4.3 billion years ago, and suggest that weathering was extensive in the early Archean. [Source: NAI Newsletter]
Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice (SALMON) Announcement of Opportunity (AO); to include Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology
NNH08ZDA009O, entitled "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)" is being released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on September 3, 2008. This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) solicits investigations that address the science objectives of the Science Mission Directorate's (SMD) astrobiology, lunar science, and planetary science programs and the Exploration Science Mission Directorate's (ESMD) fundamental space biology program.
SALMON is an omnibus AO that is comprised of several independent proposal opportunities. Three proposal opportunities are being released for the SALMON AO. Two related proposal opportunities are being released for the ROSES-08 NRA. The three SALMON opportunities are:
1. Focused Mission of Opportunity (MO) to provide an in-situ dust detector investigation for the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE). Notices of Intent (NOIs) to propose due September 24, 2008. Proposals due November 4, 2008.
2. Partner MOs in lunar and planetary science. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
3. Small complete MOs in astrobiology and fundamental space biology. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
Simultaneous with the release of the SALMON AO, NASA will release two amendments to the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES-08) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) (NNH08ZDA001N).
1. U.S. Participating Scientists in lunar and planetary science. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
2. U.S. Participating Scientists in Earth science. NOIs due October 15, 2008. Proposals due December 2, 2008.
Participation is open to all categories of organizations (U.S. and non-U.S.), including educational institutions, industry, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies. Upon the AO release, the full text of the AO and all appendices will be available electronically at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/. A preproposal conference will be held in Washington, DC for all the solicitations except the LADEE solicitation; see http://salmon.larc.nasa.gov/ for details.
Direct questions specifically regarding this solicitation to: Dr. Carlos A. Liceaga; Program Executive for Missions of Opportunity; Mail Stop 7F25; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Washington, DC 20546-0001; TEL: (757) 846-5880; E-mail: salmonao@nasa.gov (subject line to read "SALMON AO"). [Source: NAI Newsletter]
ROSES-08 Amendment 23: New proposal opportunity for MOST U.S. Guest Observer Program - Cycle 1
This amendment announces a new proposal opportunity in Appendix D.10 entitled "MOST U.S. Guest Observer Program - Cycle 1." This program element solicits proposals for the acquisition and analysis of new scientific data from the MOST (Microvariability and Oscillations of STars) observatory through a partnership between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Observations associated with the MOST U.S. Guest Observer -- Cycle 1 solicitation will begin on or around February 1, 2009 and awards will have a 12-month duration.
The MOST mission is designed to conduct photometric studies with high precision sufficient to perform stellar asteroseismology studies and other variability analyses of stars and exoplanet systems. GO investigations may address any area of astrophysics and are not restricted to asteroseismological studies. Investigations may range from the study of a single target to many targets per field, and should optimize the amount of science that can be derived from a single pointed observation (field).
Proposals are due October 6, 2008.
This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2008" (NNH08ZDA001N) is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH08ZDA001N").
Questions concerning this solicitation may be addressed to Dr. Padi Boyd, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-2368; E-mail: padi.boyd@nasa.gov. [Source: NAI Newsletter]
NAI Director's Seminar: Norm Sleep, "Habitability of Superearths"
Date/Time: Monday, September 29, 2008 11:00AM Pacific
Speaker: Norm Sleep, Stanford University
Abstract: Silicate super-earths are rocky planets with masses up to ~10 that of the Earth. They are of astrobiological interest because they are relatively easy to detect around other stars. Tectonics enhances habitability on the Earth by exhuming biologically important elements. Plate tectonics are too poorly understood on the Earth to tell whether this process should occur on larger planets. Still the Gauss' law relationship that surface heat flow scales with surface gravity provides some insight and yields that the geotherm expressed in terms of pressure is to the first order invariant to planetary size.
For subduction to occur, the mega-thrust fault needs to slip in friction, the lithosphere within the slab needs to bend with strains of ~1, and the slab needs to sink. It is not evident which process limits the rate of subduction of the Earth. Specifically, it is is not well understood why major faults fail at much lower shear tractions than would be expected for frictional sliding at near lithostatic pressure. It not evident whether the lithosphere through isostasy or the deep slab provides the negative buoyancy that drives surface plates. Plausible assumptions yield contradictory simple results. For example, the globally averaged heat flow scales with surface gravity when bending of the lithosphere under a yield stress (that does not depend on lithostatic pressure) regulates subduction. Plate tectonics are then a viable heat loss mechanism.
If friction limits flow driven by the lithospheric isostasy, the heat flow is independent of surface gravity. Plate tectonics are then a phenomenon of earthlike planets. Volcanism, which maintains geochemical cycles, in analogy with Io is then a candidate heat-loss mechanism. The asthenosphere of a stagnant-lid super-earth is hot enough for less vigorous volcanism to maintain geochemical cycles. Other processes relevant to habitability, such as the energy per mass of impacting asteroids and the loss of gas to space, scale with gravitational potential (the radius times surface gravity). A planet with a ~1 bar H2 atmosphere is then conceivable. Life would operate in a highly reduced environment with CO2 a trace gas. Light harvesting biota might make organic matter from methane and water or make and store various oxidants.
For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/129 [Source: NAI Newsletter]
September 3, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 3 September 2008
- Placing the Deep Impact Mission into Context: Two Decades of Observations of 9P/Tempel 1 from McDonald Observatory, astro-ph
- The formation of planetary disks and winds: an ultraviolet view, astro-ph
- Natural Transfer of Viable Microbes in Space from Planets in the Extra-Solar Systems to a Planet in our Solar System and Vice-Versa, astro-ph
September 2, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 2 September 2008
- Using SPICA Space Telescope to characterize Exoplanets, astro-ph
- What do stars tell us about planets? Asteroseismology of exoplanet-host stars, astro-ph
- On the structure of the Sun and alpha Centauri A and B in the light of seismic and non-seismic constraints, astro-ph
- The Masses of Transition Circumstellar Disks: Observational Support for Photoevaporation Models, astro-ph
- A Jupiter-like Planet Orbiting the Nearby M Dwarf GJ832, astro-ph
- CoRoT and stellar activity: preliminary results from the modelling of CoRoT-Exo-2a, astro-ph
September 1, 2008
Astrobiology Science News 1 September 2008
- Atmospheric composition and structure of HD209458b, astro-ph
- Complex Organic Materials in the HR 4796A Disk?, astro-ph
- Tentative Detection of the Rotation of Eris, astro-ph
- PAHs in Comets: An Overview, astro-ph
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