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Present and Future Detection of Terrestrial Biomarkers on Earthshine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2014

Danielle Briot ,
Luc Arnold ,
Stéphane Jacquemoud  and
Jean Schneider
Danielle Briot
Affiliation:
GEPI, Observatoire de Paris, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France email: [email protected]
Luc Arnold
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Haute-Provence, 04870 Saint-Michel l'Observatoire, France email: [email protected]
Stéphane Jacquemoud
Affiliation:
Université Paris Diderot/Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris 35 rue Hélène Brion, 75013 Paris, France email: [email protected]
Jean Schneider
Affiliation:
LUTH, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, Universit Paris Diderot, 5 place Jules Janssen, 92195 Meudon, France email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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In the context of life detection on terrestrial exoplanets, new methods of search for spectral signatures of chlorophyll and other biomarkers in the Earthshine have been developed in the last few decades. Astronomical observations made at OHP and ESO (NTT) showed a significant signal when continents are facing the Moon. This signal, called the Vegetation Red Edge (VRE), is undoubtedly due to chlorophyll absorption properties. In order to strengthen these results, the LUCAS (LUmière Cendrée en Antarctique par Spectroscopie) project dedicated to the measurement of the Earthshine from the Concordia Research Station (C Dome, Antarctica) has been set up. One of the objectives of LUCAS was to observe prolonged variations of the VRE corresponding to various parts of the Earth facing the Moon. An extension of this project, called LUCAS II, would allow long-term observations to detect seasonal variations of the vegetation signal. These data, together with accurate measurements of the Earth's albedo, will help validate a model of global and spectral albedo of our planet.

Keywords

AstrobiologyExtraterrestrial lifeEarthMoonEarthshineVegetation
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 8 , Symposium S293: Formation, Detection, and Characterization of Extrasolar Habitable Planets , August 2012 , pp. 65 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2014 

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