NASA Astrobiology

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A volcanically active planet is shown in closeup at the left side of the image with glowing eruptions and lines of lava on the surface. To the right and in the distance is a faint blue glowing ball representing the more massive planet in the system.

Sixteen frames from Voyager 1's flyby of Jupiter in 1979 were merged to create this image. Jupiter's Great Red Spot is visible in the center. Jupiter's moon Europa can be seen in the foreground at the bottom left of the image.

The frame is a horizontal rainbow of color on a grid. Shadows of molecules can be seen through the light as well as the jagged peaks and troughs of spectral lines.

Fizzy Super Earths and Lava Worlds“Fizzy Super-Earths: Impacts of Magma Composition on the Bulk Density and Structure of Lava Worlds.” in The Astrophysical Journal.01/03

Identifying Hydrothermal Activity on Icy Ocean Worlds“Ethene-ethanol ratios as potential indicators of hydrothermal activity at Enceladus, Europa, and other icy ocean worlds.” In Icarus.02/03

NASA Raman Spectroscopic Database"The NASA Raman spectroscopic database: Ramdb version 1.00.” In Icarus.03/03

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March 2024Oxygen production from dissociation of Europa’s water-ice surface

Szalay, J. R., Allegrini, F., Ebert, R. W., Bagenal, F., Bolton, S. J., Fatemi, S., … Wilson, R. J. (2024). Oxygen production from dissociation of Europa’s water-ice surface. Nature Astronomy. doi:10.1038/s41550-024-02206-x

January 2024Future of the Search for Life: Workshop Report

Neveu, M., Quinn, R., Barge, L. M., Craft, K. L., German, C. R., Getty, S., … Yang, Z. (2024). Future of the Search for Life: Workshop Report. Astrobiology, 24(1), 114–129. doi:10.1089/ast.2022.0158

The Guaymas Basin – A hot spot for hydrothermal generation and anaerobic microbial degradation of hydrocarbons

Teske, A. (2024). The Guaymas Basin – A hot spot for hydrothermal generation and anaerobic microbial degradation of hydrocarbons. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 186, 105700. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2023.105700

December 2023Single-cell analysis in hypersaline brines predicts a water-activity limit of microbial anabolic activity

Paris, E. R., Arandia-Gorostidi, N., Klempay, B., Bowman, J. S., Pontefract, A., Elbon, C. E., … Dekas, A. E. (2023). Single-cell analysis in hypersaline brines predicts a water-activity limit of microbial anabolic activity. Science Advances, 9(51), None. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adj3594

Characterizing phase transitions for Titan's surface molecules: Implications for Dragonfly

Madan, I., Trainer, M. G., Collins, G. C., & Farnsworth, K. K. (2023). Characterizing phase transitions for Titan's surface molecules: Implications for Dragonfly. Planetary and Space Science, 239, 105804. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2023.105804

Exploring the initial landing site area of Dragonfly on Titan: Insights into shear failure and strike-slip faulting at Selk crater

Burkhard, L. M. L., & Fagents, S. A. (2023). Exploring the initial landing site area of Dragonfly on Titan: Insights into shear failure and strike-slip faulting at Selk crater. Icarus, 406, 115764. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115764

November 2023Investigating Europa’s Habitability with the Europa Clipper

Vance, S. D., Craft, K. L., Shock, E., Schmidt, B. E., Lunine, J., Hand, K. P., … Elder, C. M. (2023). Investigating Europa’s Habitability with the Europa Clipper. Space Science Reviews, 219(8), None. doi:10.1007/s11214-023-01025-2

Variable Salinity and Hydrogen Production in Europa's Ocean

Spiers, E. M., & Schmidt, B. E. (2023). Variable Salinity and Hydrogen Production in Europa's Ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 128(11), None. doi:10.1029/2023je008028

October 2023Observational evidence for cylindrically oriented zonal flows on Jupiter

Kaspi, Y., Galanti, E., Park, R. S., Duer, K., Gavriel, N., Durante, D., … Bolton, S. J. (2023). Observational evidence for cylindrically oriented zonal flows on Jupiter. Nature Astronomy. doi:10.1038/s41550-023-02077-8

Prospects for Cryovolcanic Activity on Cold Ocean Planets

Quick, L. C., Roberge, A., Mendoza, G. T., Quintana, E. V., & Youngblood, A. A. (2023). Prospects for Cryovolcanic Activity on Cold Ocean Planets. The Astrophysical Journal, 956(1), 29. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ace9b6

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