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Scientists in NASA's Space Science Enterprise seek to answer fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of life and of celestial objects (planets, planetary systems, stars, galaxies, etc.) in the Universe. Ames is recognized as a world leader in astrobiology, the study of life in the Universe and the chemical and physical forces and adaptations that influence life's origin, evolution, and destiny. In pursuing its primary mission in astrobiology, Ames performs pioneering basic research and technology development to advance our fundamental knowledge about the origin, evolution, and distribution of life within the context of cosmic processes. For example, research and technology development are currently conducted for the following purposes.
- To study the mechanisms of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe
- To determine the abundance and distribution of the biogenic compounds that are conducive to the origin of life
- To identify locations on bodies within our solar system at which conditions conducive to life exist or have existed
- To explore the other bodies (planets, comets, asteroids) of our solar system
- To locate planets and planet-forming regions around other stars
- To study extra-solar matter such as interstellar gas and dust
Exobiology
Ames' Exobiology Program is a key element of NASA's Astrobiology Initiative and Ames serves as NASA's Lead Center in exobiology. Research in exobiology at Ames ranges from studying the mechanisms of the origin of living systems to the processes governing the evolution of life to the distribution of life on other planets. When coupled with Ames' pioneering research on the dynamics of galaxies, molecular gases and clouds, planetary systems, and the solar system, our study of life is facilitated by understanding the cosmic environment within which life originates and evolves.
Molecules of exobiological significance are ubiquitous in the Universe. It is important to understand the sources and interactions of these Cosmic building blocks and how living systems emerge from prebiotic molecular chaos.
- Studies of the following subjects are highlighted here.
- Rates and conditions under which trace gases are emitted or consumed by microbial mats and stromatolites
- Synthesis of organic molecules that are made during meteorite impacts on the surface of Europa
- Chemical evolution of organic matter as a result of heat and pressure generated by asteroid and meteorite impacts
- Photosynthetic microbial mats to understand the role played by their ancient counterparts on Earth
- The origin of oxygenic photosynthesis
- The nature of cometary debris and the significance of meteors as a seeding mechanism for organics on young planets
- Evolution of protocells with small proteins - rather than nucleic acids - performing cellular functions
- How reduced nitrogen, an essential element for the origin of life, may have been available on early Earth
- The upper temperature limits for macroscopic eukarya in the hot springs in Yellowstone National Park
- Peptides as good candidates for the first replicating molecules on primitive Earth.
Astrophysics
As NASA's lead in airborne astronomy, scientists at Ames pioneered the field of astrophysics. Study topics range from star-forming regions and processes to interstellar photochemistry to protoplanetary disks. Understanding cosmic processes - the evolution of the Universe itself - is a vital part of the Origins initiative.
Ames' astronomers and astrophysicists use a wide variety of study methods. Ground-based telescopes, such as the Keck and Mount Lemmon Observatories, are regularly employed for observations of celestial objects and processes. Development continues on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), an infrared telescope to be carried aboard a Boeing 747 aircraft specially modified for the task. Space-based observations are also made by instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and by other observatories and missions. Computer modeling and laboratory analogs of chemical processes enhance these observational astronomy techniques.
The following astrophysical studies are highlighted in this report.
- The Nstars database developed at Ames as a web-accessible source of data on stars for the use of the astronomical community
- Detection of extrasolar planets by the star-transit method that can also provide planetary masses and radii
- Spectroscopic data related to complex organic matter found on solid bodies in the outer solar system
- The AIRES (Airborne InfraRed Echelle Spectrometer) being developed as a facility-class spectrometer for the SOFIA airborne observatory
- The scientific instrumentation that will be needed for NGST (Next Generation Space Telescope) observations of galaxies, stars, and planets
- The infrared properties of the SOFIA telescope surfaces as they might contribute to background noise
- Design of the water vapor monitor for SOFIA
- Chemical processes that occur in dense interstellar clouds and that are simulated in the
- laboratory
Planetary Science
Scientists in the Space Science Enterprise are interested in how and where in the Universe planets form, and the geophysical, geochemical, and atmospheric processes that occur over the lifetime of a planet. Further, understanding the dynamics between planetary processes and the origin and evolution of life will help us understand the distribution of life in the Universe.
Studies of the following are highlighted in this report.
- Gaseous disks around young solar-mass stars to provide insight into the development of our own planetary system
- The frequency of the occurrence of extrasolar planets and their properties
- Hydrocarbon dust in the diffuse interstellar medium
- Planetary rings for understanding properties of colliding particles relevant to the accretion of planets
- Primitive objects in the meteorite record that represent the first large bodies to accumulate in the protoplanetary nebula
- Properties and emergent spectra of extrasolar giant planets and brown dwarfs
- Investigation of star and planet formation processes conducted by a consortium of scientists undertaking a coordinated program of theoretical research
- Global atmospheric circulation of Mars to improve our knowledge of the dynamics of the present and past environment
- Properties of the multiple planets discovered around a Sun-like star
- Extraterrestrial sources of nitriles and hydrocarbons identified in dense clouds and their relevance to the origin of life
- How the presence of an atmosphere can strongly affect impact cratering on planetary bodies
Space Technology
In support of the Space Science Enterprise in conducting future space science and exploration missions, Ames scientists and engineers develop and validate technologies and instruments, develop calculation-based and modeling algorithms, and refine analytical methods.
This report highlights the following Ames space technology work.
- Increasing the flexibility and robustness of Mars rovers by developing onboard autonomy and contingency planning
- The application of evolutionary search techniques to the process of automated engineering design
- Ways to make statistical data analysis easier and more accessible to scientists by synthesizing efficient data analysis programs from statistical models
- A tool to provide a centralized project information resource that is accessible to an entire scientific team over the World Wide Web
- Technologies for rigorously verifying requirements for the software models used in autonomous controllers for space devices
- Technologies for cryogenic propellants to support human missions to Mars
- How the requirements for liquefying the surface oxygen on Mars can best be met using off-the-shelf cryogenic coolers and simple heat exchangers
- The potential for rotary-wing technologies to support missions of planetary science and exploration
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