Spectroscopy and Space Exploration: Planetary Bodies and other Celestial Objects

Spectroscopy magazine is pleased to welcome you to the “Planetary Bodies and Other Celestial Objects” landing page, one of three landing pages in our “Spectroscopy and Space Exploration” content series.

This landing page houses several articles that focus on the great work of spectroscopists that used spectroscopic techniques to facilitate technological and scientific advancements for exploring planetary and celestial bodies and meteorites. Spectroscopic topics that are covered in these articles include an in-depth look at the versatility of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

How NASA Scientists are Using Raman Spectroscopy to Study Exoplanets

By: Will Wetzel

The study of exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system, is becoming increasingly important in space exploration. Scientists are working to characterize these planets and Raman spectroscopy is playing a key role. Andrew Mattioda, a research scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, is on the front lines of this research.

Click here to read this Q&A with Mattioda: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/how-nasa-scientists-are-using-raman-spectroscopy-to-study-exoplanets

The Detection of Life: How Spectroscopy Contributes to Space Exploration Missions

By: Will Wetzel

The detection of life on other planets is a research area of focus for scientists in space exploration. In this Q&A, Andreas Riedo of the Physics Institute at the University of Bern offers his thoughts on how spectroscopy is being used to detect organic molecules that are relevant for life.

Click here to read this Q&A with Riedo: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-detection-of-life-how-spectroscopy-contributes-to-space-exploration-missions

Unlocking the Secrets of Exoplanet WASP-39b: Early Release Science with JWST NIRISS Reveals Intriguing Atmospheric Composition

By: Jerome Workman, Jr.

In a pioneering study published in Nature, researchers have presented their findings on the atmospheric properties of the exoplanet WASP-39b. Using data obtained from the JWST NIRISS instrument, the team successfully breaks model degeneracies and reveals intriguing insights into the exoplanet's heavy-element enhancement, carbon-to-oxygen ratio, potassium-to-oxygen ratio, and the presence of wavelength-dependent, non-grey clouds.

Click here to read about this study and to see the full article: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/unlocking-the-secrets-of-exoplanet-wasp-39b-early-release-science-with-jwst-niriss-reveals-intriguing-atmospheric-composition

Advancing Hydrogen Detection on Airless Planetary Bodies through Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

By: Spectroscopy Staff

New research demonstrates significant progress in accurately measuring hydrogen on airless planetary bodies using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). These findings provide valuable insights into the spatial distributions and depth profiles of hydrogen-bearing materials, addressing previous uncertainties in remote-sensing observations and opening doors for future space exploration missions.

Click here to read about this study and to see the full article:
https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/advancing-hydrogen-detection-on-airless-planetary-bodies-through-laser-induced-breakdown-spectroscopy

Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (hLIBS): A Valuable Tool for Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Recognition of Meteorites in the Field

By: Giorgio S. Senesi

The role and performance of handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (hLIBS) devices is discussed in the context of meteorite research exploration while targeting specific questions of geologic interest in the field. The fast data acquisition and minimal sample preparation features of these devices make them very attractive as candidate tools for future astronauts in geochemical mapping, resource prospecting, sample selection, and hazard identification. Although hLIBS instruments have recently become commercially available, they have not yet been widely applied to meteoritical field campaign. This article reviews how the very promising advanced analytical tool hLIBS may be helpful to classify and discriminate meteorites in the field.

Click here to read the full article:
https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/handheld-laser-induced-breakdown-spectroscopy-hlibs-a-valuable-tool-for-terrestrial-and-extraterrestrial-recognition-of-meteorites-in-the-field

To continue your exploration of our “Spectroscopy and Space Exploration” content series, you can visit the other landing pages by clicking on the landing page you want to access below:

Outer Space – The Final Frontier

Mars – The Red Planet