Present and Future Observations of the Earthshine from Antarctica

• Published in: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
• Main Authors: Briot, Danielle, Arnold, Luc, Jacquemoud, Stéphane
• Other Authors: Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL), Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP), Institut Pythéas (OSU PYTHEAS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2013
• Subjects: Astrobiology; Extraterrestrial life; Earth; Moon; Earthshine; Vegetation; [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Antarc*; Antarctica; Antarctique*
• Online Access: https://insu.hal.science/insu-03581808; https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921312016900

International audience It is likely that images of Earth-like planets will be obtained in the next years. The first images will actually come down to single dots, in which biomarkers can be searched. Taking the Earth as a example of planet providing life, Earthshine observations showed that the spectral signature of photosynthetic pigments and atmospheric biogenic molecules was detectable, suggesting that, in principle, life on other planets could be detected on a global scale, if it is widely spread and distinguishable from known abiotic spectral signatures. As for the Earth, we already showed that the Vegetation Red Edge which is related to chlorophyll absorption features was larger when continents, versus oceans, were facing the Moon. It proved that an elementary mapping of a planet was even possible. In the frame of the LUCAS (LUmière Cendrée en Antarctique par Spectroscopie) project, the Earthshine has been measured in the Concordia Research Station (Dome C, Antarctica) long enough to observe variations corresponding to different parts of the Earth facing the Moon. An extension of this project, called LUCAS II, would allow long-term observations to detect seasonal variations in the vegetation signal. These data, together with precise measurements of the Earth's albedo, will help to validate a model of global and spectral albedo of our planet.