Circular Spectropolarimetric Sensing of Vegetation in the Field: Possibilities for the Remote Detection of Extraterrestrial Life

C H Lucas Patty; Inge Loes Ten Kate; Wybren Jan Buma; Rob J M van Spanning; Gábor Steinbach; Freek Ariese; Frans Snik

doi:10.1089/ast.2019.2050

Circular Spectropolarimetric Sensing of Vegetation in the Field: Possibilities for the Remote Detection of Extraterrestrial Life

C H Lucas Patty, Inge Loes Ten Kate, Wybren Jan Buma, Rob J M van Spanning, Gábor Steinbach, Freek Ariese, Frans Snik

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life, and the fractional circular polarization of light it induces therefore constitutes a potentially unambiguous biosignature. However, while high-quality circular polarimetric spectra can be easily and quickly obtained in the laboratory, accurate measurements in the field are much more challenging due to large changes in illumination and target movement. In this study, we measured various targets in the field, up to distances of a few kilometers, using the dedicated circular spectropolarimeter TreePol. We show how photosynthetic life can readily be distinguished from abiotic matter. We underline the potential of circular polarization signals as a remotely accessible means to characterize and monitor terrestrial vegetation, for example, for agriculture and forestry. In addition, we discuss the potential of circular polarization for the remote detection of extraterrestrial life.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1221-1229
Journal	Astrobiology
Volume	19
Issue number	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2019.2050
Publication status	Published - 2019

Keywords

Circular spectropolarimetry
Homochirality
Photosynthesis
Life detection
Remote sensing
Biosignatures

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1089/ast.2019.2050

ast.2019.2050Final published version, 956 KBLicence: Taverne

Cite this

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title = "Circular Spectropolarimetric Sensing of Vegetation in the Field: Possibilities for the Remote Detection of Extraterrestrial Life",

abstract = "Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life, and the fractional circular polarization of light it induces therefore constitutes a potentially unambiguous biosignature. However, while high-quality circular polarimetric spectra can be easily and quickly obtained in the laboratory, accurate measurements in the field are much more challenging due to large changes in illumination and target movement. In this study, we measured various targets in the field, up to distances of a few kilometers, using the dedicated circular spectropolarimeter TreePol. We show how photosynthetic life can readily be distinguished from abiotic matter. We underline the potential of circular polarization signals as a remotely accessible means to characterize and monitor terrestrial vegetation, for example, for agriculture and forestry. In addition, we discuss the potential of circular polarization for the remote detection of extraterrestrial life.",

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author = "Patty, {C H Lucas} and {Ten Kate}, {Inge Loes} and Buma, {Wybren Jan} and {van Spanning}, {Rob J M} and G{\'a}bor Steinbach and Freek Ariese and Frans Snik",

year = "2019",

doi = "10.1089/ast.2019.2050",

language = "English",

volume = "19",

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T1 - Circular Spectropolarimetric Sensing of Vegetation in the Field

T2 - Possibilities for the Remote Detection of Extraterrestrial Life

AU - Patty, C H Lucas

AU - Ten Kate, Inge Loes

AU - Buma, Wybren Jan

AU - van Spanning, Rob J M

AU - Steinbach, Gábor

AU - Ariese, Freek

AU - Snik, Frans

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life, and the fractional circular polarization of light it induces therefore constitutes a potentially unambiguous biosignature. However, while high-quality circular polarimetric spectra can be easily and quickly obtained in the laboratory, accurate measurements in the field are much more challenging due to large changes in illumination and target movement. In this study, we measured various targets in the field, up to distances of a few kilometers, using the dedicated circular spectropolarimeter TreePol. We show how photosynthetic life can readily be distinguished from abiotic matter. We underline the potential of circular polarization signals as a remotely accessible means to characterize and monitor terrestrial vegetation, for example, for agriculture and forestry. In addition, we discuss the potential of circular polarization for the remote detection of extraterrestrial life.

AB - Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life, and the fractional circular polarization of light it induces therefore constitutes a potentially unambiguous biosignature. However, while high-quality circular polarimetric spectra can be easily and quickly obtained in the laboratory, accurate measurements in the field are much more challenging due to large changes in illumination and target movement. In this study, we measured various targets in the field, up to distances of a few kilometers, using the dedicated circular spectropolarimeter TreePol. We show how photosynthetic life can readily be distinguished from abiotic matter. We underline the potential of circular polarization signals as a remotely accessible means to characterize and monitor terrestrial vegetation, for example, for agriculture and forestry. In addition, we discuss the potential of circular polarization for the remote detection of extraterrestrial life.

KW - Circular spectropolarimetry

KW - Homochirality

KW - Photosynthesis

KW - Life detection

KW - Remote sensing

KW - Biosignatures

U2 - 10.1089/ast.2019.2050

DO - 10.1089/ast.2019.2050

M3 - Article

C2 - 31361507

SN - 1531-1074

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JO - Astrobiology

JF - Astrobiology

IS - 10

ER -

Circular Spectropolarimetric Sensing of Vegetation in the Field: Possibilities for the Remote Detection of Extraterrestrial Life

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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