The Virtual Planetary Laboratory (VPL) is a virtual institute based at the
University of Washington
The University of Washington (UW, simply Washington, or informally U-Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington.
Founded in 1861, Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast; it was established in Seat ...
that studies how to detect
exoplanetary habitability and their potential
biosignatures
A biosignature (sometimes called chemical fossil or molecular fossil) is any substance – such as an element, isotope, or molecule – or phenomenon that provides scientific evidence of past or present life. Measurable attribute ...
. First formed in 2001, the VPL is part of the
NASA Astrobiology Institute
The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) was established in 1998 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) "to develop the field of astrobiology and provide a scientific framework for flight missions." In December 2019 the institut ...
(NAI) and connects more than fifty researchers at twenty institutions together in an interdisciplinary effort. VPL is also part of the
Nexus for Exoplanet System Science
The Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) initiative is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) virtual institute designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the search for Extraterrestrial life, life on exoplanets. ...
(NExSS) network, with principal investigator
Victoria Meadows
Victoria Suzanne Meadows is a Professor with the Astronomy Department and Director of the Astrobiology Program at the University of Washington. She is also the Principal Investigator for the NASA Astrobiology Institute's Virtual Planetary Labora ...
leading the NExSS VPL team.
[Impey, Chris (2010). ''Talking about Life: Conversations on Astrobiology''. Cambridge University Press. pp. 293-302. .][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.
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, Venus, Earth, 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 with ecosystem and photo-chemical models 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, stellar, and planetary environments on planetary habitability.
Task D
The Living Planet
Task D incorporates VPL researchers from diverse and interdisciplinary fields who use laboratory work 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.
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 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.
Models 1D Radiative Convective and Photochemical ModelsSolar Flux ModelHabitable Zone Calculator
Education & Outreach StudentsTeachers
VPL in the News February 2017
- Early Earth as a proxy for hazy exoplanets
August 2016
- Is Proxima Centauri b habitable?
See also
* Astrobiology
Astrobiology, and the related field of exobiology, is an interdisciplinary scientific field that studies the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Astrobiology is the multidisciplinary field that investi ...
* Astrochemistry
Astrochemistry is the study of the abundance and reactions of molecules in the Universe, and their interaction with radiation. The discipline is an overlap of astronomy and chemistry. The word "astrochemistry" may be applied to both the Solar Sys ...
* Cosmochemistry
Cosmochemistry (from Greek κόσμος ''kósmos'', "universe" and χημεία ''khemeía'') or chemical cosmology is the study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions. This is don ...
* Extraterrestrial atmospheres
The study of extraterrestrial atmospheres is an active field of research, both as an aspect of astronomy and to gain insight into Earth's atmosphere. In addition to Earth, many of the other astronomical objects in the Solar System have atmosphe ...
* Extraterrestrial liquid water
Extraterrestrial liquid water () is water in its liquid state that naturally occurs outside Earth. It is a subject of wide interest because it is recognized as one of the key prerequisites for life as we know it and thus surmised as essential for ...
* Planetary habitability
Planetary habitability is the measure of a planet's or a natural satellite's potential to develop and maintain environments hospitable to life. Life may be generated directly on a planet or satellite endogenously or be transferred to it from a ...
References
External links
The Virtual Planetary Laboratory
at the University of Washington
{{Exoplanet
Exoplanet search projects
University of Washington
2001 establishments in Washington (state)