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 2024Chapter 6: The Breadth and Limits of Life on Earth

Thweatt, J. L., Harman, C. E., Araújo, M. N., Marlow, J. J., Oliver, G. C., Sabuda, M. C., … Wilpiszeki, R. L. (2024). Chapter 6: The Breadth and Limits of Life on Earth. Astrobiology, 24(S1), S–124–S–142. doi:10.1089/ast.2021.0131

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

Quantifying Global Origin-Diagnostic Features and Patterns in Biotic and Abiotic Acyclic Lipids for Life Detection

Buckner, D. K., Anderson, M. J., Wisnosky, S., Alvarado, W., Nuevo, M., Williams, A. J., … Wilhelm, M. B. (2024). Quantifying Global Origin-Diagnostic Features and Patterns in Biotic and Abiotic Acyclic Lipids for Life Detection. Astrobiology, 24(1), 1–35. doi:10.1089/ast.2023.0012

Biosignature Detection and MinION Sequencing of Antarctic Cryptoendoliths After Exposure to Mars Simulation Conditions

Maggiori, C., Fernández-Martínez, M. A., Bourdages, L-J., Sánchez-GarcíA, L., Moreno-Paz, M., Sobrado, J. M., … Whyte, L. G. (2024). Biosignature Detection and MinION Sequencing of Antarctic Cryptoendoliths After Exposure to Mars Simulation Conditions. Astrobiology, 24(1), 44–60. doi:10.1089/ast.2023.0025

December 2023Using artificial intelligence to transform astrobiology

Scharf, C. A., Mayer, M. H., & Boston, P. J. (2023). Using artificial intelligence to transform astrobiology. Nature Astronomy, 8(1), 8–9. doi:10.1038/s41550-023-02159-7

Low effective ultraviolet exposure ages for organics at the surface of Enceladus

Hendrix, A. R., & House, C. H. (2023). Low effective ultraviolet exposure ages for organics at the surface of Enceladus. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1), None. doi:10.1038/s43247-023-01130-8

Single-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

Moving toward a framework for communicating the confidence of life detection

Green, J., Hoehler, T., Neveu, M., Domagal-Goldman, S., Scalice, D., & Voytek, M. (2023). Moving toward a framework for communicating the confidence of life detection. Nature Astronomy, 8(1), 2–3. doi:10.1038/s41550-023-02135-1

November 2023Xeno Amino Acids: A Look into Biochemistry as We Do Not Know It

Brown, S. M., Mayer-Bacon, C., & Freeland, S. (2023). Xeno Amino Acids: A Look into Biochemistry as We Do Not Know It. Life, 13(12), 2281. doi:10.3390/life13122281

October 2023Biosignature preparation for ocean worlds (BioPOW) instrument prototype

Duval, K. A., Van Volkenburg, T. B., Craft, K. L., Person, C. M., Harshman, J. S., Fernandes, D. O., … Bradburne, C. E. (2023). Biosignature preparation for ocean worlds (BioPOW) instrument prototype. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 10, None. doi:10.3389/fspas.2023.1244682

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