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Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
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Detecting tree-like multicellular life on extrasolar planets.

Christopher E Doughty1, Adam Wolf

  • 1Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution, Stanford, California 92697-3100, USA. Chris.doughty@ouce.ox.ac.uk

Astrobiology
|December 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary

This study proposes a new method to detect tree-like multicellular life on exoplanets by analyzing changes in planetary albedo. The technique uses bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) to distinguish vegetated planets from non-vegetated ones.

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Area of Science:

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Astrobiology
  • Planetary Science

Background:

  • Future space missions aim to detect Earth-like exoplanets and search for extraterrestrial life.
  • Previous biosignature detection methods include biogenic gases and the red edge effect.
  • Life, from single-celled to multicellular, may produce detectable atmospheric or surface signals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and validate a novel technique for detecting tree-like multicellular life on extrasolar planets.
  • To investigate the use of bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) as a biosignature for complex plant life.
  • To assess the feasibility of detecting such life using changes in planetary albedo.

Main Methods:

  • Simulated vegetation reflectance using a semi-empirical BRDF model at various planetary phase angles.
  • Calculated disk- and rotation-averaged planetary albedo for vegetated and non-vegetated planets with liquid water.
  • Incorporated both simulated and real cloud cover data into the albedo calculations.

Main Results:

  • A vegetated planet exhibits a distinctively greater rate of albedo increase approaching full illumination compared to a non-vegetated planet.
  • The presence of tree-like structures, indicated by BRDF, is distinguishable from flat surfaces even with identical reflectance spectra.
  • The technique shows theoretical potential to detect tree-like multicellular life on exoplanets within 50 stellar systems, contingent on cloud cover resolution and coronagraph capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) offers a promising method for identifying complex, tree-like vegetation on exoplanets.
  • Analyzing the rate of change in planetary albedo during orbital phases can serve as a biosignature for multicellular life.
  • This BRDF-based technique could significantly advance the search for life beyond Earth.