Astrobiology -Where biology can bring together the Research Councils

Charles Cockell Open University

STFC Environment Future’s Workshop, Nov 11 What is astrobiology?

Earth Cosmos Physical Sciences Geophysics Astrophysics

Life Sciences Geobiology Astrobiology

Astrobiology investigates the link between life and its cosmic environment Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the Universe?

Major questions: “How did life begin?” “What the limits of the terrestrial biosphere?” “Does life exist elsewhere in the universe?” “What is the future of life on Earth and beyond?” Solid core Lithosphere

Liquid core

Mantle

Surface of the Earth

Cryptoendolithic habit

> ~ 90% of life is cryptoendolithic > ~ 95-99% of the biomass is achieved through the photosynthetic surface layer > The global contiguity of life is made possible by the global distribution of oxygen and carbon on the planetary scale “What are the limits of the biosphere?”

 Assessing habitability of other planetary environments (STFC)  Living with Environmental Change (NERC)

 Study extreme environments on Earth  Investigate the physiology of organisms from extremes

 Look for useful products (BBSRC) What are the limits of the biosphere? Volcanic Environment Microbial Observatory

www.volcaniclife.org Volcanic Environment Microbial Observatory

 Primary succession in extreme environments  How biogeochemical cycles become established  Understanding the limits of life in volcanic environments  Understand sources of energy in extreme environments  Microbial secondary products in primary succession habitats? Geobacillus capable of degrading carbohydrates  Technology sold in US for $500 million over next 20 years  UK involved in improving organism “Does life exist elsewhere in the universe?”

Mars

Locations of extinct life? Conditions at the Phoenix Landing Site

Where’s the nitrogen? How much and how long was liquid water there? What about other conditions, e.g.The water terrain suggests activity? freeze- thaw cycles, perhaps over Was there any life there to take advantagegeological time -ofscales the conditions?

Bluish-white frost seen on the Martian surface near NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander as fall approaches. The image was taken by the Stereoscopic Surface Imager on Sol 131 (Oct.7, 2008). Photo credit: NASA/JPL/Caltech/University of Arizona/ TexasA&M University ExoMars

The UVIS Spectrometer

• UVIS – the Ultraviolet and VIsible Spectrometer • A highly miniaturised (~500 g) optical spectrometer to measure ozone and dust in the atmosphere of Mars. • Originally developed for the ExoMars mission to Mars, through STFC funding. • High resolution mapping spectrometer covering UV and visible wavelengths. Translation to Earth Observation

• Addresses the NERC priorities of Earth Observation to monitor global climate change – To provide global mapping and vertical distribution of ozone in the atmosphere. – Continuous long-term monitoring.

– Potential to observe other species such as NO2 etc • Unique point: – Low cost, miniaturised design lends itself to high volume application (e.g. small satellites etc). • Could provide a unique opportunity to exploit STFC technology in NERC science (i.e. ‘spinning back’ exploration space technology).

Images courtesy of ESA

Europa

Planetary Penetrators

Descent Module Cancel orbital velocity release from Orbiter

. Low mass projectiles ~5-15kg Re-orient . High impact speed ~ up to 400 ms-1 . Penetrate surface and imbed therein . Undertake science-based measurements Penetrator . Transmit results Separation

Penetrator & PDS impact surface

Penetrator operates Delivery sequence courtesy SSTL from below surface

Extrasolar planets Planets orbiting distant stars

Transit method (look for reduction in light) Radial velocity  Astrometry

Darwin mission

Environmental conditions Time The The Future? Earth What could be done? Recommendations

Have a theme: ‘Habitability’ or ‘Limits of the Biosphere Programme’

-To determine limits and conditions for life on Earth and other planetary bodies  Investigations of life in extreme environments  Study analogue environments on Earth to understand conditions elsewhere  Biogeochemistry applied to trace gas detection on other planetary bodies  Study of environmental preservation of biomarkers

‘Living with environmental change’

‘Living with environmental change’ What could be done? Recommendations

Have a theme: ‘Planetary atmospheres’

 Modelling of planetary environments and biological implications  Modelling early earth and exoplanets Aerosols in planetary atmospheres and implications for life  Astrochemistry, fate of carbon  Runaway greenhouse, cf. Venus, Mars and Earth

Have an instrumentation call that strengthens links between planetary and astronomical sciences instrumentation and Earth applications.