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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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

Seafloor spreading and the delivery of sulfur and metals to Earth’s oceans

Syverson, D. D., Awolayo, A. N., & Tutolo, B. M. (2023). Seafloor spreading and the delivery of sulfur and metals to Earth’s oceans. Geology. doi:10.1130/g51311.1

Biosignature 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

The distribution of CO2 on Europa indicates an internal source of carbon

Trumbo, S. K., Brown, M. E. (2023). The distribution of CO2 on Europa indicates an internal source of carbon. Science, 381(6664), 1308-1311. doi: 10.1126/science.adg4155

September 2023Numerical simulations of heat exchange and vapor flow in ice fractures on Enceladus

Pankine, A. A. (2023). Numerical simulations of heat exchange and vapor flow in ice fractures on Enceladus. Icarus, 401, 115584. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115584

August 2023Molecular basis for inhibition of methane clathrate growth by a deep subsurface bacterial protein

Huard, D. J. E., Johnson, A. M., Fan, Z., Kenney, L. G., Xu, M., Drori, R., … Glass, J. B. (2023). Molecular basis for inhibition of methane clathrate growth by a deep subsurface bacterial protein. PNAS Nexus, 2(8), None. doi:10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad268

Evolution of Thrace Macula on Europa: Strike‐Slip Tectonic Control and Identification of the Youngest Terrains

Matteoni, P., Neesemann, A., Jaumann, R., Hillier, J., & Postberg, F. (2023). Evolution of Thrace Macula on Europa: Strike‐Slip Tectonic Control and Identification of the Youngest Terrains. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 128(8), None. doi:10.1029/2023je007905

Mass Spectrometric Fingerprints of Organic Compounds in Sulfate-Rich Ice Grains: Implications for Europa Clipper

Napoleoni, M., Klenner, F., Hortal Sánchez, L., Khawaja, N., Hillier, J. K., Gudipati, M. S., … Postberg, F. (2023). Mass Spectrometric Fingerprints of Organic Compounds in Sulfate-Rich Ice Grains: Implications for Europa Clipper. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 7(9), 1675–1693. doi:10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00098

July 2023Tidally induced fault motion within Europa's ice shell and implications for subsurface communication development

Lien, R. R., Craft, K. L., Walker, M. E., Patterson, G. W., & Rhoden, A. R. (2023). Tidally induced fault motion within Europa's ice shell and implications for subsurface communication development. Icarus, None, 115726. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115726

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