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Present and Future Observations of the Earthshine from Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2013

Danielle Briot ,
Luc Arnold  and
Stéphane Jacquemoud
Danielle Briot
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Paris, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France email: danielle.briot@obspm.fr
Luc Arnold
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Haute-Provence, 04870 Saint-Michel l'Observatoire, France email: luc.arnold@oamp.fr
Stéphane Jacquemoud
Affiliation:
Université Paris Diderot / Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 39 rue Hélène Brion, 75013 Paris, France email: jacquemoud@ipgp.fr
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Abstract

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It is likely that images of Earth-like planets will be obtained in the next years. The first images will actually come down to single dots, in which biomarkers can be searched. Taking the Earth as a example of planet providing life, Earthshine observations showed that the spectral signature of photosynthetic pigments and atmospheric biogenic molecules was detectable, suggesting that, in principle, life on other planets could be detected on a global scale, if it is widely spread and distinguishable from known abiotic spectral signatures. As for the Earth, we already showed that the Vegetation Red Edge which is related to chlorophyll absorption features was larger when continents, versus oceans, were facing the Moon. It proved that an elementary mapping of a planet was even possible. In the frame of the LUCAS (LUmière Cendrée en Antarctique par Spectroscopie) project, the Earthshine has been measured in the Concordia Research Station (Dome C, Antarctica) long enough to observe variations corresponding to different parts of the Earth facing the Moon. An extension of this project, called LUCAS II, would allow long-term observations to detect seasonal variations in the vegetation signal. These data, together with precise measurements of the Earth's albedo, will help to 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 S288: Astrophysics from Antarctica , August 2012 , pp. 214 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2013

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