Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Marie Dannenmann, Fabian Klenner, Janine Boenigk, Miriam Pavlista, Maryse Napoleoni, Jon Hillier, Nozair Khawaja, Karen Olsson-Francis, Morgan L. Cable, Michael J. Malaska, Bernd Abel, Frank Postberg
Summary: The reliable identification of biosignatures is crucial for the search for life elsewhere. Scientists have conducted experiments simulating impact ionization mass spectra of ice grains containing different biomolecules extracted from bacterial cultures. The results show that these mass spectra can clearly identify biogenic signals, such as DNA nucleobases, at various concentrations in different salty matrices, and reveal differences between bacterial species.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
N. Khawaja, T. R. O'Sullivan, F. Klenner, L. H. Sanchez, J. Hillier
Summary: Results from the Cassini-Huygens space mission indicate the presence of organic species in the ice grains of Enceladus, potentially supporting habitability. Aromatic compounds, including benzoic acid and its derivatives, were studied using Laser-Induced Liquid Beam Ion Desorption (LILBID) to simulate the impact ionization mass spectra of ice grains in space. The behavior and spectral differences of these compounds were investigated, providing insights for future missions to Enceladus and Europa.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wanying Kang
Summary: The ice shell and subsurface ocean on icy worlds form a coupled system, with heat and salinity flux driving circulation. Understanding the dependence of ocean heat transport on orbital parameters allows prediction of the ice-shell geometry, providing useful information for mission design.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Emily S. Martin, Jennifer L. Whitten, Simon A. Kattenhorn, Geoffrey C. Collins, Ben S. Southworth, Lindsey S. Wiser, Shannen Prindle
Summary: This paper investigates three techniques for measuring regolith thickness using the Slope Angle Method (SAM) and combines models of plume deposition rates with observed regolith thicknesses to estimate the age of the plume source and its liquid reservoir. The study suggests that the regolith may be a low-density/high-porosity material and additional processes may exist that contribute to regolith formation.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Benoit Jabaud, Riccardo Artoni, Gabriel Tobie, Erwan Le Menn, Patrick Richard
Summary: The Cassini spacecraft discovered active jets of water vapour and ice grains at the South Pole of Enceladus, resulting in the deposit of freshly erupted materials on the moon's icy surface. Similar processes may be happening on Europa as well. Determining the mechanical properties of fresh icy powder-like materials is essential for future landing and sampling missions. The flowability and surface energy of ice powders decrease with increasing temperatures, which may have implications for stable landing and the flow of ice materials on Enceladus and Europa.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Liming Li, Larry Guan, Sherry Li, Cindy Luu, Kevin Heng, Patrick M. Fry, Ellen C. Creecy, Xinyue Wang, Ronald J. Albright, Thishan D. Karandana, Xun Jiang, Robert A. West, Conor A. Nixon, Matthew E. Kenyon, Amanda Hendrix, Ulyana Dyudina
Summary: This study uses observations from the Cassini spacecraft and the Hubble Space Telescope to determine the bolometric Bond albedo of Enceladus. The study finds that the bolometric Bond albedo of Enceladus is 0.76 +/- 0.03 and also investigates its optical characteristics. The wavelength-dependent nature of Enceladus' Bond albedo has implications for measuring the bolometric Bond albedos of other icy moons and understanding the water plumes on Enceladus.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rico G. Fausch, Janis A. Schertenleib, Peter Wurz
Summary: A novel time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been developed to handle high relative encounter velocities, avoiding issues that traditional instruments may encounter when analyzing complex molecules. This technology can be applied to explore Enceladus, Europa, or Io, providing reliable chemical composition datasets.
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Kapish Aggarwal, Ron Noomen
Summary: This paper aims to identify graveyard orbit solutions in circummartian space for future Mars space debris, ensuring long-term stability and protection for Mars exploration. Extensive validations and adjustments are conducted to find multiple candidate solutions, which are found to be safe from debris in the vicinity of Mars.
ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biology
Jessica M. Weber, Theresa C. Marlin, Medha Prakash, Bronwyn L. Teece, Katherine Dzurilla, Laura M. Barge
Summary: Enceladus and Europa, icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter, are believed to have liquid water oceans and may potentially harbor life. Researchers have used modeling and experimental studies to hypothesize possible metabolisms that could exist on these moons. This article outlines the best estimated conditions of each moon's ocean, discusses the hypothetical metabolisms based on laboratory studies and Earth analogs, and explores detection methods and recommendations for future research and missions.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Maria F. Mora, Miranda G. M. Kok, Aaron Noell, Peter A. Willis
Summary: Capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry is a promising technique for in situ chemical analysis on ocean worlds, especially for the detection of unknown compounds and organic molecules. The experiment demonstrated that low concentrations of organics in the presence of salts can be detected without desalting.
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
S. Gruchola, A. Galli, A. Vorburger, P. Wurz
Summary: This study discusses the predictions for mass spectrometry and plasma instrument measurements during the upcoming Venus flybys of Bepi-Colombo and Solar Orbiter, as well as the possibility of detecting phosphine in Venus' upper atmosphere. The results from this study provide insights into the thermal and hot neutral particle populations in Venus' upper atmosphere, as well as the outflow of planetary ions and ionization processes in the upper atmosphere itself.
ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Niklas Alexander Doebler, Marius Raab
Summary: Despite the lack of scientific proof, pondering about extraterrestrials and their intelligence is ingrained in our psychological reality. The study of extraterrestrial beings may be influenced by anthropocentric bias, but utilizing such thoughts can enhance our understanding of ourselves and our cosmic surroundings.
Review
Spectroscopy
Timothy Vazquez, Sinduri Vuppala, Ifeoluwa Ayodeji, Linxia Song, Nathan Grimes, Theresa Evans-Nguyen
Summary: Mass spectrometry (MS) plays a crucial role in exploring the chemical composition of our solar system, with applications in various space missions to analyze inorganic compositions and molecular analyses. As technology advances, MS instruments continue to evolve to provide more sophisticated and powerful tools for future space exploration endeavors.
MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bethany P. Theiling
Summary: In this study, various assumptions regarding the chemical composition of icy ocean worlds are evaluated, and the behavior of CO2 isotopes under different conditions is analyzed, providing insights for future missions.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xianzhe Jia, Margaret G. Kivelson, Christopher Paranicas
Summary: The Galileo spacecraft encountered disturbances in field and plasma data near Europa, consistent with the effects of a nearby plume. While simulations suggested that the spacecraft likely passed through or close to a vapor plume, further examination revealed that the signature in the data was an artifact.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frank Postberg, Nozair Khawaja, Bernd Abel, Gael Choblet, Christopher R. Glein, Murthy S. Gudipati, Bryana L. Henderson, Hsiang-Wen Hsu, Sascha Kempf, Fabian Klenner, Georg Moragas-Klostermeyer, Brian Magee, Lenz Noelle, Mark Perry, Rene Reviol, Jurgen Schmidt, Ralf Srama, Ferdinand Stolz, Gabriel Tobie, Mario Trieloff, J. Hunter Waite
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hsiang-Wen Hsu, Jurgen Schmidt, Sascha Kempf, Frank Postberg, Georg Moragas-Klostermeyer, Martin Seiss, Holger Hoffmann, Marcia Burton, ShengYi Ye, William S. Kurth, Mihaly Horanyi, Nozair Khawaja, Frank Spahn, Daniel Schirdewahn, James O'Donoghue, Luke Moore, Jeff Cuzzi, Geraint H. Jones, Ralf Srama
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
B. J. Buratti, P. C. Thomas, E. Roussos, C. Howett, M. Seiss, A. R. Hendrix, P. Helfenstein, R. H. Brown, R. N. Clark, T. Denk, G. Filacchione, H. Hoffmann, G. H. Jones, N. Khawaja, P. Kollmann, N. Krupp, J. Lunine, T. W. Momary, C. Paranicas, F. Postberg, M. Sachse, F. Spahn, J. Spencer, R. Srama, T. Albin, K. H. Baines, M. Ciarniello, T. Economou, H. -W. Hsu, S. Kempf, S. M. Krimigis, D. Mitchell, G. Moragas-Klostermeyer, P. D. Nicholson, C. C. Porco, H. Rosenberg, J. Simolka, L. A. Soderblom
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fabian Klenner, Frank Postberg, Jon Hillier, Nozair Khawaja, Rene Reviol, Ralf Srama, Bernd Abel, Ferdinand Stolz, Sascha Kempf
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2019)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
N. Khawaja, F. Postberg, J. Hillier, F. Klenner, S. Kempf, L. Noelle, R. Reviol, Z. Zou, R. Srama
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fabian Klenner, Frank Postberg, Jon Hillier, Nozair Khawaja, Morgan L. Cable, Bernd Abel, Sascha Kempf, Christopher R. Glein, Jonathan Lunine, Robert Hodyss, Rene Reviol, Ferdinand Stolz
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fabian Klenner, Muhammad Umair, Sebastian H. G. Walter, Nozair Khawaja, Jon Hillier, Lenz Nolle, Zenghui Zou, Maryse Napoleoni, Arnaud Sanderink, Wilhelm Zuschneid, Bernd Abel, Frank Postberg
Summary: Spaceborne impact ionization mass spectrometers are crucial for exploring icy moons in the Solar System, and analogue experiments on Earth are essential for interpreting data from these instruments. A comprehensive and extendable database has been developed, containing laboratory mass spectra that can be compared with data from space missions and terrestrial techniques.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frank Postberg, Yasuhito Sekine, Fabian Klenner, Christopher R. Glein, Zenghui Zou, Bernd Abel, Kento Furuya, Jon K. Hillier, Nozair Khawaja, Sascha Kempf, Lenz Noelle, Takuya Saito, Juergen Schmidt, Takazo Shibuya, Ralf Srama, Shuya Tan
Summary: Saturn's moon Enceladus has a global ice-covered water ocean. The composition of the ocean was analyzed using material ejected into space by the moon's cryovolcanic plume. The analysis showed the presence of sodium phosphates, indicating that phosphorus is readily available in Enceladus's ocean.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
N. Khawaja, T. R. O'Sullivan, F. Klenner, L. H. Sanchez, J. Hillier
Summary: Results from the Cassini-Huygens space mission indicate the presence of organic species in the ice grains of Enceladus, potentially supporting habitability. Aromatic compounds, including benzoic acid and its derivatives, were studied using Laser-Induced Liquid Beam Ion Desorption (LILBID) to simulate the impact ionization mass spectra of ice grains in space. The behavior and spectral differences of these compounds were investigated, providing insights for future missions to Enceladus and Europa.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maryse Napoleoni, Fabian Klenner, Nozair Khawaja, Jon K. Hillier, Frank Postberg
Summary: Europa and Enceladus are important targets for the study of potential habitable ocean worlds. Researchers conducted experiments using the LILBID technique and found that organic molecules can still be detected in salt-rich ice grains, and can differentiate between abiotic and potentially biotic compounds.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maryse Napoleoni, Fabian Klenner, Lucia Hortal Sanchez, Nozair Khawaja, Jon K. Hillier, Murthy S. Gudipati, Kevin P. Hand, Sascha Kempf, Frank Postberg
Summary: The presence of inorganic material in the ice on Europa could affect the analysis of organic compounds. Through simulated experiments, we found that organic species can be detected in ice grains containing sulfates using mass spectrometry, although the spectral appearance changes. We established generic rules for detecting organic compounds, which are important for the Europa Clipper mission and other missions.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nozair Khawaja, Jon Hillier, Fabian Klenner, Lenz Nolle, Zenghui Zou, Maryse Napoleoni, Rene Reviol, Frank Postberg
Summary: Mass spectrometers on spacecraft use impact ionization or electron ionization as ion sources. Comparing the spectral signatures and fragmentation patterns produced by different mass spectrometry techniques can help determine the composition of organic compounds. This study compares the mass spectra obtained through laser-induced liquid beam ion desorption and electron ionization for isomeric aldehydes and ketones. The results show that electron ionization produces more fragmentation of carbonyl compounds than laser-induced liquid beam ion desorption. The study provides a basis for complementary compositional analysis of organic species in a space environment using different spaceborne mass spectrometers.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Morgan L. Cable, Carolyn Porco, Christopher R. Glein, Christopher R. German, Shannon M. MacKenzie, Marc Neveu, Tori M. Hoehler, Amy E. Hofmann, Amanda R. Hendrix, Jennifer Eigenbrode, Frank Postberg, Linda J. Spilker, Alfred McEwen, Nozair Khawaja, J. Hunter Waite, Peter Wurz, Joern Helbert, Ariel Anbar, Jean-Pierre de Vera, Jorge Nunez
Summary: Enceladus' plume offers fresh material from an extraterrestrial subsurface ocean, characterized by the Cassini Mission as potentially habitable. The next step is to investigate the presence of life and propose a dedicated search-for-life mission.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biology
Martina Preiner, Silke Asche, Sidney Becker, Holly C. Betts, Adrien Boniface, Eloi Camprubi, Kuhan Chandru, Valentina Erastova, Sriram G. Garg, Nozair Khawaja, Gladys Kostyrka, Rainer Machne, Giacomo Moggioli, Kamila B. Muchowska, Sinje Neukirchen, Benedikt Peter, Edith Pichlhoefer, Adam Radvanyi, Daniele Rossetto, Annalena Salditt, Nicolas M. Schmelling, Filipa L. Sousa, Fernando D. K. Tria, Daniel Voros, Joana C. Xavier