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| Paper: |
Breathing Worlds: Leveraging Seasonality for Exo-Earth Biosphere Characterization with HWO |
| Monograph: |
10, HWO25 Proceedings Part I: Community Science Case Development Documents |
| Page: |
377 |
| Authors: |
Émilie A. Laflèche; Anna Grace Ulses; Samantha Gilbert-Janizek; Jonathan Jernigan; Nicholas Wogan; Michael D. Himes; Stephanie L. Olson; Edward W. Schwieterman; Mary N. Parenteau; Joshua Krissansen-Totton; Avi Mandell |
| DOI: |
10.26624/QYUZ3748 |
| Abstract: |
Earth is a complex, living system that experiences significant changes over a variety of timescales, including seasonal cycles. Exo-Earths observed with the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) likely experience
seasons as well, but the consequences of seasonality for life detection with HWO remain largely unexplored.
Seasonality may present an observational challenge for characterizing habitable worlds. At the same time,
seasonality may also provide an opportunity to characterize the interactions between life and its host planet
on a global scale. Here, we discuss how seasonality impacts Earth’s life and atmosphere. We then consider
the prospects for detecting similar seasonality on exo-Earths with HWO, focusing in particular on seasonal
changes in the atmospheric abundance of key biosignature gases (e.g., O2/O3, CH4) and surface biosignatures
(e.g., the vegetation red edge). We conclude by proposing observation strategies for detecting seasonality with
HWO and outlining future work that will be needed to continue exploring the parameter space introduced by
this science case.
This article is an adaptation of a science case document developed for HWO’s AGN Steering Committee. |
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