eprintid: 18255
rev_number: 29
eprint_status: archive
userid: 1676
dir: disk0/00/01/82/55
datestamp: 2015-03-09 11:13:58
lastmod: 2015-05-04 08:53:13
status_changed: 2015-03-09 11:13:58
type: doctoralThesis
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Hegde, Siddharth
title: Remote Detection of Life in Extreme Exoplanetary Environments
subjects: 500
subjects: 520
subjects: 530
divisions: 130001
adv_faculty: af-13
keywords: Habitability, Extrasolar terrestrial planets, Color-color, Life in extreme environments, Reflectivity, Extremophiles
abstract: The search for a second genesis of life outside Earth is now well and truly underway with the first rocky exoplanets detected in the central star’s liquid water habitable zone. Recent results based on population studies show that small planets are abound in our galaxy. With the next generation of space- and ground-based telescopes on the horizon, it is critical to determine the best candidate exoplanets to follow up on for potential habitability and life. This PhD thesis shows how colors of extreme Earth-like planets can be
used as a first characterization when prioritizing exoplanets for spectroscopic follow up. We build a strong interdisciplinary link between geomicrobiology and observational astronomy, by exploring the color signatures of extremophiles as well as the various extreme niches that those organisms inhabit on Earth. In addition, we provide the first database of surface signatures of terrestrial life for a broad range of pigmented microorganisms, including ones isolated from Earth’s most extreme environments. Our spectral library provides a broader and more realistic guide for the search for surface features of extraterrestrial life. The work presented in this thesis provides a first step toward characterizing a second Earth, in preparation for the next generation of space- and ground-based instruments, which will increase the chances of detecting life.
date: 2015
id_scheme: DOI
id_number: 10.11588/heidok.00018255
ppn_swb: 1656291797
own_urn: urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-heidok-182551
date_accepted: 2015-02-04
advisor: HASH(0x55612085ba48)
language: eng
bibsort: HEGDESIDDHREMOTEDETE2015
full_text_status: public
citation:   Hegde, Siddharth  (2015) Remote Detection of Life in Extreme Exoplanetary Environments.  [Dissertation]     
document_url: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/18255/1/phd_hegde2015.pdf