Scientists use spectroscopy to measure the atmospheres of exoplanets. Spectroscopy involves observing the planet as it passes in front of its star. Some of the star’s light passes through the planet’s atmosphere on its way to telescopes. Scientists can then analyze the light to determine the composition of the planet’s atmosphere. 

Scientists are looking for the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, and sulfur (CHNOPS) in exoplanet atmospheres. These elements, along with liquid water and trace micronutrients, are essential for life. 

Scientists also look for oxygen-rich atmospheres, especially if methane is also detected. This is because photosynthesis releases free oxygen, which is not produced by many non-living processes

To explore their framework of nutrient availability, the researchers turned to simulations. The simulated atmospheres held different levels of nutrients, and the researchers applied their concept of nutrient availability. Their results aim to understand not habitability but the chemical potential for habitability

Other factors that indicate the presence of life on a planet include:

• Liquid water: For complex chemistry, a planet with a substantial atmosphere and moderate distance from its central star 
• Extreme environments: Such as hydrothermal vents, acid springs, and deep-sea environments 
• Carbon dioxide: Plants use carbon to carry out photosynthesis 
• Greenhouse gases: A stable habitable temperature requires a mixture of greenhouse gases 
• Chemical reactions: Such as the production of certain molecules or the presence of certain isotopes 
• Atmospheric biosignature gases: Gases produced by life that can accumulate to detectable levels in an exoplanet 

Methane and nitrous oxide are also indicators of possible life

In particular, an oxygen-rich atmosphere would be taken as strong evidence of a biosphere, especially if methane were also detected in the air. This is because free oxygen is released by the biological process of photosynthesis but isn’t produced by many non-living processes

How do we know that planet has life

NASA uses a technique called spectroscopy to search for signs of life on planets outside of Earth. Spectroscopy involves analyzing light from a star that passes through the atmosphere of a distant planet. The effect looks like a bar code, with missing slices from the light spectrum indicating the presence of certain chemicals or gases in the atmosphere

Astronomers can measure a planet’s spectrum in three ways:

• Reflection spectroscopy: Look for light bouncing off the planet’s surface or atmosphere 
• Thermal emission spectroscopy: Observe the light produced by the heat of the planet itself 
• Transmission spectroscopy: Watch light pass through the planet’s atmosphere 

The chances of a planet having just the right conditions for life are high because planets are common and many stars will have them. For example, some of the Moons in the outer solar system such as Europa and Titan have conditions where some form of life could exist. 

You can study the composition of an atmosphere by splitting a planet’s light into a rainbow of colours. This ‘spectrum’ will contain dark lines made by various chemicals in the planet’s atmosphere. Darwin’s strategy is to look for oxygen, because oxygen is used by some life forms and produced as waste by others

Earth is the only planet known to have life. It has millions of species that live in different habitats, from the ocean floor to the atmosphere

However, scientists are still searching for life beyond Earth. Some planets that might support life include: 

• TRAPPIST-1e This exoplanet is thought to be the most likely to support life as we know it. 
• Mars Scientists believe Mars was once habitable billions of years ago, when it had lakes and rivers. 
• TOI 700e This planet is about the same size as Earth and is located in a region where scientists think water could exist in liquid form. 

Life on Earth depends on six critical elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorous, and Sulfur. These elements are referred to as CHNOPS, and along with several trace micronutrients and liquid water, they’re what life needs. 

Scientists are getting a handle on detecting exoplanets that might be warm enough to have liquid water on their surfaces, habitability’s most basic signal. But now, they’re looking to up their game by finding CHNOPS in exoplanet atmospheres.

A new paper examines the issue. It’s titled “Habitability constraints by nutrient availability in atmospheres of rocky exoplanets.” The lead author is Oliver Herbort from the Department of Astrophysics at the University of Vienna and an ARIEL post-doctoral fellow. The paper has been accepted by the International Journal of Astrobiology

At our current technological level, we’re just beginning to examine exoplanet atmospheres. The JWST is our main tool for the task, and it’s good at it. But the JWST is busy with other tasks. In 2029, the ESA will launch ARIEL, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large survey. ARIEL will be solely focused on exoplanet atmospheres

To explore their framework of nutrient availability, the researchers turned to simulations. The simulated atmospheres held different levels of nutrients, and the researchers applied their concept of nutrient availability. Their results aim to understand not habitability but the chemical potential for habitability. A planet’s atmosphere can be altered drastically by life, and this research aims to understand the atmospheric potential for life

We’ve been asking ourselves one universal question since the dawn of modern science: Are we alone? In the early days of astronomy, scientists thought the Earth was the center of everything. But when that Earth-centric view eventually changed and we realized that we orbit but one star among countless millions, we couldn’t help but wonder what else might be out there

We know there are other planets out there that are roughly the same mass as Earth, have an atmosphere, and reside in the so-called “Goldilocks” zone of their solar systems, meaning there could be liquid water on those planets—the main conduit for life as we know it. A sort of misnomer in the exoplanet world, however, is the word “habitable.” While it might conjure images of a lush landscape with meandering rivers, sandy beaches, and the convenience of breathable air, astronomers have a different idea of the word. In astronomy, “habitable” really only means two things: The planet is rocky, and it orbits in the Goldilocks zone.

Looking for signs of atmospheres on exoplanets, using a variety of powerful telescopes. Future observatories such as the Giant Magellan Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope will be able to detect traces of chemicals that might indicate the presence of life, including oxygen and water

Planetary Atmospheres and Habitability

Earth’s atmosphere is what enables life as we know it to exist, but it was also shaped by life. The particular chemical balance of our air was partly created by organisms over life’s four-billion-year history. Atmospheres on any world reflect the history and evolution of that particular place. Mercury’s thin, wispy atmosphere is a product of its closeness to the Sun, while Saturn’s moon Titan has a thick cold atmosphere that is the result of its mysterious history.

Researchers studying planetary atmospheres look for commonalities as well as unique details between worlds. On Earth, the presence of water has a profound effects on every aspect of the atmosphere, while Mars’ much drier and colder atmosphere produces global dust storms. Planetary scientists have learned Mars was once wetter than it is today, and studying the Martian atmosphere is essential to understanding what changed.

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