Atmospheric disequilibrium as an exoplanet biosignature: Opportunities for next generation telescopes
Abstract
We explore atmospheric chemical disequilibrium as an exoplanet biosignature and argue that a CH4+CO2 combination could be a common sign of life on planets with oxygen-free atmospheres such as the ancient Earth. This biosignature combination is potentially detectable with JWST and readily detectable with some next generation space-based telescopes.
- Publication:
-
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- May 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019BAAS...51c.158K