Virtual Planetary Laboratory
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Abbreviation | VPL |
---|---|
Formation | 2001 |
Legal status | Active |
Purpose | To detect exoplanetary habitability and their potential biosignatures. |
Parent organization | NASA |
Website | depts.washington.edu/naivpl |
The Virtual Planetary Laboratory (VPL) is a virtual institute based at the
Research
Task A: Solar System Analogs for Extrasolar Planet Observations
The first task considers observations of the Solar System planets, moons, and the asteroid belt to explore processes necessary for habitable environments and for exoplanet model confirmation. Specifically, observations of Europa,[3] Venus,[4] Earth,[5] Mars, and the asteroid belt have helped researchers in Task A address their goals.
Task B: The Earth Through Time
Our only data point of a habitable planet today is Earth, although it has not always been habitable. The Early Earth serves as an example of an exoplanet. The VPL research has contributed to the understanding of our early planet. Task B combines geological and biological data[6] with ecosystem[7] and photo-chemical models[8][9] to showcase how planet Earth has changed throughout its history.
Task C: The Habitable Planet
This task uses observational data, models and orbital dynamics to explore the distribution of habitable worlds in the universe. The VPL team studies the effects of galactic,[10] stellar,[11] and planetary environments[12] on planetary habitability.
Task D: The Living Planet
Task D incorporates VPL researchers from diverse and interdisciplinary fields who use laboratory work[13][14] combined with chemical and climate models to study the impact of life on its environment. In addition, the interactions between the biosphere, planet, and host star are explored to determine how they can influence detectable biosignatures.[15]
Task E: The Observer
In the final task, the VPL scientists observe the Solar System and extrasolar planets. The goal of this task is to develop astronomical[16] and remote-sensing retrieval methods. In addition, VPL members use telescope and instrument simulators to study which measurements, observing strategies, and analysis techniques are necessary for the characterization of exoplanets.[17]
Models
1D Radiative Convective and Photochemical Models
Education & Outreach
VPL in the News
February 2017 - Early Earth as a proxy for hazy exoplanets
August 2016 - Is Proxima Centauri b habitable?[18][19]
See also
- Astrobiology
- Astrochemistry
- Cosmochemistry
- Extraterrestrial atmospheres
- Extraterrestrial liquid water
- Planetary habitability
References
- ISBN 9781139490634.
- ^ Kelley, Peter (April 22, 2015). "UW key player in new NASA coalition to search for life on distant worlds." UW News. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- S2CID 119281936– via Institute of Physics.
- .
- PMID 21631250.
- S2CID 11575334.
- S2CID 8426873.
- doi:10.1038/ngeo1425.
- .
- S2CID 4303714.
- PMID 20879863.
- S2CID 17136043.
- PMID 25764538.
- PMID 18764874.
- PMID 21663401.
- PMID 30147857.
- S2CID 54770728.
- PMID 29431479.
- arXiv:1608.06919 [astro-ph.EP].
External links
- The Virtual Planetary Laboratory at the University of Washington