Ames Research Center

Wavelength Requirements for Life Detection via Reflected Light Spectroscopy of Rocky Exoplanets

Searching for signs of life is a primary goal of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). However, merely detecting oxygen, methane, or other widely discussed biosignatures is insufficient evidence for a biosphere. In parallel with biosignature detection, exoplanet life detection...

Individual behavior and physiology of group housed mice in a spaceflight habitat

NASA has a robust history of biomedical investigations using rodent models in spaceflight. The results from these experiments have provided significant insights into the effects of spaceflight on mammalian physiological systems for fundamental, biomedical and commercial research...

Europe’s extreme temperatures and rainfall in finer detail: strengths and limits of climate model downscaling

<title>Abstract</title> Climate extremes in Europe are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, heightening the need for reliable regional climate information to support preparedness and adaptation. Downscaled climate model (DCM) products are widely used for this purpose. Yet,...

Polarization calibration of spaceborne lidar using dense cirrus–scattered solar background with molecular scattering correction

Abstract. Accurate calibration is essential for spaceborne polarization-sensitive lidars, as biases in depolarization ratio measurements can significantly affect the retrieval of cloud and aerosol properties. A polarization calibration technique based on solar background signals...