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Substance providing scientific evidence of past or present life
A biosignature is a phenomenon that can be explained by biological processes where all possible abiotic causes of this phenomenon have been eliminated
Biosignature
Science concerned with life in the universe
environments in the Solar System and beyond, the search for planetary biosignatures of past or present extraterrestrial life, and the study of the origin
Astrobiology
Martian rock noted for its potential life signs
exposed at this site. On 10 September 2025, NASA reported a "potential biosignature" finding in Cheyava Falls: organic-carbon–bearing mudstones hosting sub-millimetre
Cheyava_Falls
Sub-Neptune orbiting the red dwarf K2-18
sulfide (DMS) was reported in 2025, a chemical that could serve as a biosignature on exoplanets. It has not been widely accepted as proof of extraterrestrial
K2-18b
NASA Mars rover deployed in 2021
July 2024, it discovered the Cheyava Falls rock containing "possible biosignature." As of 4 October 2026, Perseverance has been active on Mars for 1999
Perseverance_(rover)
Assessments of possible life on Mars
today with telescopes and robotic probes searching for water, chemical biosignatures in the soil and rocks at the planet's surface, and biomarker gases in
Life_on_Mars
Array of space telescopes
proposed deep space fleet of space telescopes designed to search for biosignatures of life in the atmospheres of exoplanets. Daniel Apai, lead astronomer
Nautilus Deep Space Observatory
Nautilus_Deep_Space_Observatory
Chemical compound hydrogen phosphide
Zhuchang; Hu, Renyu; Bains, William (11 October 2019). "Phosphine as a Biosignature Gas in Exoplanet Atmospheres". Astrobiology. 20 (2) (published February
Phosphine
Chemical element with atomic number 8 (O)
is considered the strongest biosignature, or sign of biological activity. Oxygen meets the three criteria for a biosignature. Its presence is a reliable
Oxygen
Biosignature significance scale
conclusion that life was absent in the Viking samples. The search for biosignatures beyond earth has a history of ambiguous findings and premature claims
Confidence of Life Detection Scale
Confidence_of_Life_Detection_Scale
Theory that characterizes object complexity
understanding selection processes, evolution, and the identification of biosignatures in astrobiology. However, the usefulness of the approach has been disputed
Assembly_theory
Philanthropic organization
and LFAST, an instrument for large aperture spectroscopy intended for biosignature search (likely in Arizona). Schmidt, Eric (July–August 2024). "Why America
Schmidt_Sciences
Proposed space mission
terrestrial exoplanets around nearby stars and search for atmospheric biosignatures. The project was initiated in 2017 by an international collaboration
Large Interferometer For Exoplanets
Large_Interferometer_For_Exoplanets
Biological process to convert light into chemical energy
of purple retinal pigments on Earth and implications for exoplanet biosignatures". International Journal of Astrobiology. 20 (3). Cambridge University
Photosynthesis
Astrobiological instrument
detected organics, MOMA can provide insights into potential molecular biosignatures. MOMA will be able to detect organic molecules at concentrations as
Mars Organic Molecule Analyser
Mars_Organic_Molecule_Analyser
Smallest Galilean moon of Jupiter
including an impactor in combination with a thermal drill to search for biosignatures that might be frozen in the shallow subsurface. Another proposal put
Europa_(moon)
Fourth planet from the Sun
discovered on Mars in June 2024 has been designated by NASA as a "potential biosignature" and was core sampled by the Perseverance rover for possible return to
Mars
Type of sedimentary rock
horizontality Provenance Sedimentary record Sedimentology Stratigraphy Rock cycle calcium silica carbonate-silicate Paleolimnology Biosignature Category v t e
Sandstone
Bacteria deriving energy from dissolved iron
extracellular stalk-ribbon structure rich in iron, known as a typical biosignature of microbial iron oxidation. These structures can be easily detected
Iron-oxidizing_bacteria
History of Earth 4600–539 million years ago
possible 2450 Ma red alga from the Kola Peninsula, 1650 Ma carbonaceous biosignatures in north China, the 1600 Ma Rafatazmia, and a possible 1047 Ma Bangiomorpha
Precambrian
Planned Mars rover, part of ExoMars programme
planet's surface. The rover was designed to search for biomolecules or biosignatures from past life. Its core task is to determine whether life ever existed
Rosalind_Franklin_(rover)
Binary star system in the Cygnus constellation
Groombridge 1618, and HD 156026 may be particularly good targets for future biosignature searches,' said Arney. Wikimedia Commons has media related to 61 Cygni
61_Cygni
Scientific assessments on the microbial habitability of Venus
reported the presence of phosphine in the planet's atmosphere, a potential biosignature. However, doubts have been cast on these observations. As of 8 February
Life_on_Venus
Candidate super-Earth orbiting Tau Ceti
habitable zone, but a 2015 study implies that there may not be a detectable biosignature because it has only been in the temperate zone for less than one billion
Tau_Ceti_f
Hypothesis of hidden life in space
motive) Related topics Ancient astronauts Astrobiology Astroecology Biosignature Brookings Report Definition of life Exotheology Extraterrestrials in
Dark_forest_hypothesis
Fe(II) phosphate mineral
crater on Mars, by the Perseverance rover. It is considered a potential biosignature of iron-oxidizing biota. List of minerals List of minerals named after
Vivianite
Matter with biological processes
enhance human health and the environment. Biology, the study of life Biosignature Carbon-based life Central dogma of molecular biology History of life
Life
Very Large Aperture, Ultralight Space Telescope Array for Atmospheric Biosignature Surveys". The Astronomical Journal. 158 (2): 83. arXiv:1906.05079. Bibcode:2019AJ
List of proposed space telescopes
List_of_proposed_space_telescopes
Proposed NASA Mars lander
ice-cemented ground in the northern plains to conduct a search for biosignatures of current or past life on Mars. The science goals for Icebreaker Life
Icebreaker_Life
Crater on Mars
On 10 September 2025, NASA reported that the rock contained possible biosignatures. Speckles in rocks contained the minerals vivianite, an iron phosphate
Jezero_(crater)
Polish-American astrobiologist (1949–2024)
San Francisco. He was a leading scientist on the origin of life and biosignature detection at NASA. His work proposed that proteins may have been the
Andrew_Pohorille
Calendar year
Possible biosignatures are discovered in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b (artistic impression of planet)
2025
Proposed space observatory to characterize exoplanets' atmospheres
the mission will be designed to search for signs of habitability and biosignatures in the atmospheres of Earth-sized rocky planets located in the habitable
Habitable Exoplanets Observatory
Habitable_Exoplanets_Observatory
Water-covered planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere
observation and the detection of biosignatures easier. Candidate hycean worlds such as K2-18b have been investigated for biosignatures by terrestrial telescopes
Hycean_planet
Particulate solid matter deposited on a planetary surface
horizontality Provenance Sedimentary record Sedimentology Stratigraphy Rock cycle calcium silica carbonate-silicate Paleolimnology Biosignature Category v t e
Sediment
Preserved remains or traces of organisms from a past geological age
fossils. Some fossils are biochemical and are called chemofossils or biosignatures. Gathering fossils dates at least to the beginning of recorded history
Fossil
Life that does not originate on Earth
phosphine) and Mars (via methane) was reported. Scientists search for biosignatures within the Solar System by studying planetary surfaces and examining
Extraterrestrial_life
Second planet from the Sun
could compromise investigations. However, with findings of potential biosignatures this categorization for at least some atmospheric layers has been called
Venus
Rock formed by the deposition and cementation of particles
horizontality Provenance Sedimentary record Sedimentology Stratigraphy Rock cycle calcium silica carbonate-silicate Paleolimnology Biosignature Category v t e
Sedimentary_rock
Astrobiologist and engineer for NASA programs
indicate an environment might host life. Lynch also identifies what biosignatures might look like on other planets. Much of Lynch's research on analog
Kennda_Lynch
Mars life detection experiments
landers, Viking 1 and Viking 2, then carried out experiments to look for biosignatures of microbial life on Mars. The landers each used a robotic arm to pick
Viking lander biological experiments
Viking_lander_biological_experiments
Proposed Mars rover by JAXA
engineering demonstration of precision landing, and to look for possible biosignatures on Mars using a rover. JAXA has not published updates since 2015. Japan's
MELOS
Canadian astronomer
work related to Venus, with the potential discovery of phosphine, a biosignature gas, in the upper atmosphere. Seager developed a parallel version of
Sara_Seager
Astrobiological hypothesis regarding early photosynthetic organisms
Astrobiologists have suggested that retinal pigments may serve as a biosignature, a remotely detectable sign of extraterrestrial life on exoplanets. Historically
Purple_Earth_hypothesis
Single yellow-hued star in the constellation Cetus
zone for less than one billion years, so there may not be a detectable biosignature. Few properties of the planet are known other than its orbit and mass
Tau_Ceti
Iron sulfide mineral of spinel structure
crater on Mars, by the Perseverance rover. It is considered a potential biosignature. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical
Greigite
Planned Chinese Mars sample return mission
returning to Earth by 2031. The mission is focused on identifying biosignatures indicating life on Mars. The mission profile uses two spacecraft, an
Tianwen-3
Jessica (10 September 2025). "NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year". nasa.gov. NASA. "We've officially found 6,000 exoplanets
2025_in_science
French geologist & researcher
conditions, such as those that exist in Earth's mantle, as well as biosignatures of early life. Daniel earned a bachelor's degree in Earth sciences from
Isabelle_Daniel
Astronomical bodies believed or speculated to exist
Anjali a. A.; Constantinou, Savvas (26 August 2021). "Habitability and Biosignatures of Hycean Worlds". The Astrophysical Journal. 918 (1): 1. arXiv:2108
Hypothetical astronomical object
Hypothetical_astronomical_object
Spacecraft instrument to detect biosignatures
development to detect extraterrestrial life in the form of organic biosignatures obtained from a core drill during planetary exploration. The instrument
Signs_Of_LIfe_Detector
view of a gene as an aperiodic crystal, provides a so-called "agnostic biosignature", a sign of life that does not presuppose any biochemistry. In other
Polyelectrolyte theory of the gene
Polyelectrolyte_theory_of_the_gene
Chemical element with atomic number 23 (V)
discrete vanadium accumulations on Mars could be a potential microbial biosignature when used in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy and morphology. All
Vanadium
Cancelled NASA lander for Europa
analyses on site. The objectives of the mission were to search for biosignatures at the subsurface ≈10 cm, to characterize the composition of non-ice
Europa_Lander
Study of plants grown in spacecraft
benefits for long-term space flight. The vegetation red edge (VRE) is a biosignature of near-infrared wavelengths that is observable through telescopic observation
Astrobotany
Is there past or present life on Mars? Of particular interest is the biosignature detected in a rock in Jezero Crater by NASA rover Perseverance. Is there
List of unsolved problems in astronomy
List_of_unsolved_problems_in_astronomy
American planetary scientist
Curiosity rover and examining rocks to determine if they have potential biosignatures. As part of her work, Stack Morgan also names geographical places on
Katie_Stack_Morgan
Scientific study of celestial objects
interactions, abiogenesis on Earth, planetary habitability, research on biosignatures for life detection, and studies on the potential for life to adapt to
Astronomy
American professor and astrophysicist
survey a thousand extrasolar planets for atmospheric signatures of life (biosignatures). This effort led to the successful development of a new optical technology
Daniel_Apai
on board the European Rosalind Franklin rover, tasked to search for biosignatures, and scheduled to launch not earlier than 2028. Ma_MISS is essentially
Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies
Mars_Multispectral_Imager_for_Subsurface_Studies
Discrepancy of the lack of evidence for alien life despite its apparent likelihood
high levels of oxygen in a planet's atmosphere is not only a potential biosignature but also a critical factor in the emergence of detectable technological
Fermi_paradox
Camera system on the planned Rosalind Franklin rover
potential biosignature structures and patterns. This camera assembly is part of the science payload on board the rover, tasked to search for biosignatures and
CLUPI
orbiter had detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, a potential biosignature. ESA announced in June 2006 the discovery of aurora on Mars by the Mars
Exploration_of_Mars
Earth-size exoplanet orbiting Kepler-1649
Planetary science Main topics Abiogenesis Allan Hills 84001 Biomolecule Biosignature Drake equation Earliest known life forms Earth analog Extraterrestrial
Kepler-1649c
Canceled NASA Mars rover concept
1970s to specifically look for the chemistry associated with life (biosignatures), such as carbon-based compounds along with molecules involving both
Astrobiology_Field_Laboratory
Institute that studies exoplanetary habitability
studies how to detect exoplanetary habitability and their potential biosignatures. First formed in 2001, the VPL is part of the NASA Astrobiology Institute
Virtual_Planetary_Laboratory
Idea that humanity is the first intelligent life
motive) Related topics Ancient astronauts Astrobiology Astroecology Biosignature Brookings Report Definition of life Exotheology Extraterrestrials in
Firstborn_hypothesis
American astrobiologist
astrobiologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Her research concerns the biosignatures and suitability for life of exoplanets, as well as studying whether
Giada_Arney
European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover, tasked to search for biosignatures and biomarkers on Mars. The rover is planned to be launched in August–October
PanCam
French American astrobiologist
Institute NAI team, which was selected in October 2014 to develop new biosignature detection and exploration strategies in support of the then-upcoming
Nathalie_Cabrol
Canadian strength coach and author
includes a body hormone profiling method, which he invented, called BioSignature Modulation. In September 2013 Poliquin parted ways with Poliquin Performance
Charles_Poliquin
Tendency for particles in suspension to settle down
horizontality Provenance Sedimentary record Sedimentology Stratigraphy Rock cycle calcium silica carbonate-silicate Paleolimnology Biosignature Category v t e
Sedimentation
Hypothesis on the interstellar spreading of primordial life
that directly opposes it. In line with this, it is suggested that if biosignatures could be detected on two (or more) adjacent planets, that would provide
Panspermia
Area of astronomical research
Technosignatures" (CATS), to list the results of exoplanet atmosphere studies for biosignatures, technosignatures and related. Due to its small size (and thus its small
Extraterrestrial_atmosphere
Chasma on Mars
would form. These dry lakes would be targets to look for evidence (biosignatures) of past life. Echus Chasma is approximately 100 km long and 10 km wide
Echus_Chasma
Proposed NASA mission to a moon of Saturn
selected at another future opportunity, the ELF mission would search for biosignature and biomolecules in the geysers of Enceladus. The south polar jets loft
Enceladus_Life_Finder
Property that provides scientific evidence for the presence of technology
evidence of past or present technology. Technosignatures are analogous to biosignatures, which signal the presence of life, whether intelligent or not. Some
Technosignature
Region of change in vegetation reflectance
Ford, E.B. (2005). "Vegetation's Red Edge: A Possible Spectroscopic Biosignature of Extraterrestrial Plants". Astrobiology. 5 (3): 372–390. arXiv:astro-ph/0503302
Red_edge
Hypothesis concerning lack of extraterrestrial contact with Earth
motive) Related topics Ancient astronauts Astrobiology Astroecology Biosignature Brookings Report Definition of life Exotheology Extraterrestrials in
Zoo_hypothesis
Class of chondritic meteorites
enantiomeric excess in amino acids to distinguish extraterrestrial biosignatures. But, as previously mentioned, recent studies of carbonaceous chondrites
Carbonaceous_chondrite
Largest moon of Saturn
The Cassini–Huygens mission was not equipped to provide evidence for biosignatures or complex organic compounds; it showed an environment on Titan that
Titan_(moon)
NASA/ESA/CSA space infrared telescope launched in 2021
atmosphere, allowing astronomers to determine whether or not the methane is a biosignature. Webb orbits the Sun near the second Lagrange point (L2) of the Sun–Earth
James_Webb_Space_Telescope
Proposed NASA far-infrared space observatory to study the early Universe
unique tracer of nitrogen), the 9 μm ozone line (ozone, O 3 is a key biosignature), the 15 μm CO 2 band (carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas)
Origins_Space_Telescope
Astrobiology Mars rover mission by NASA
possibility of past life on Mars, and the potential for preservation of biosignatures within accessible geological materials. It will cache sample containers
Mars_2020
Mathematical ratio used in analysis of radioactive materials
Andreas; Kooijman, Ellen; Kielman-Schmitt, Melanie (2021-06-03). "Biosignatures of ancient microbial life are present across the igneous crust of the
Isotopic_signature
American astrobiologist and astrophysicist
Fellow at the University of St Andrews, where her research explored biosignature gases. From 2019 to 2022, Rugheimer was a Glasstone Research Fellow and
Sarah_Rugheimer
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the elemental composition of Martian soil
past environments, habitability, and biosignature preservation potential. Detect any potential chemical biosignatures that are encountered and characterize
Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry
Planetary_Instrument_for_X-Ray_Lithochemistry
Terrestrial exoplanet orbiting Kepler-186
"EBI – Search for Life Beyond the Solar System 2014 – Exoplanets, Biosignatures & Instruments". EBI2014. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014
Kepler-186f
Layer of gases surrounding an astronomical body held by gravity
Meadows, V.; Seager, S. (2011). "Terrestrial Planet Atmospheres and Biosignatures". In Seager, Sara (ed.). Exoplanets. The University of Arizona Space
Atmosphere
Study of past and present water on Mars
would form. These dry lakes would be targets to look for evidence (biosignatures) of past life. In 2012, NASA scientists announced that the Curiosity
Water_on_Mars
Partially reusable super-heavy-lift launch vehicle by SpaceX
Martian atmosphere. The proposed science objectives were to detect biosignatures and to drill approximately 1 m (3.3 ft) underground, in an effort to
Falcon_Heavy
Gas layer surrounding Mars
unexpected levels of methane in the Martian atmosphere, which may even be a biosignature for life on Mars. However, the interpretation of the measurements is
Atmosphere_of_Mars
Orbiter mission to Enceladus
plumes in order to study its internal habitability and to search for biosignatures. Specifically, it would take advantage of the direct sampling opportunities
THEO
Scientific assessments on the microbial habitability of Titan
the Cassini–Huygens mission was not equipped to provide evidence for biosignatures or complex organics, it showed an environment on Titan that is similar
Life_on_Titan
Known extent to which a planet is suitable for life
energy sources to sustain metabolism". Habitability indicators and biosignatures must be interpreted within a planetary and environmental context. In
Planetary_habitability
Institute for the search of habitable worlds
Sagan Institute is to model atmospheric spectral signatures including biosignatures of known and hypothetical planets and moons to explore whether they
Carl_Sagan_Institute
Boundary between bed sediment and the overlying water column
horizontality Provenance Sedimentary record Sedimentology Stratigraphy Rock cycle calcium silica carbonate-silicate Paleolimnology Biosignature Category v t e
Sediment–water_interface
Hypothesis about sapient life and the universe
supernaturalism." Gardner, James N., 2005, "The physical constants as biosignature: An anthropic retrodiction of the selfish biocosm hypothesis", International
Anthropic_principle
Turkish academic
history of contemporary components and then tying their phenotypes into biosignatures to provide insight into innovations that are grounded in the rock record
Betül_Kaçar
Aten meteoroid and near-Earth object
exploration Lucy (flyby of 52246 Donaldjohanson) Miscellaneous events K2-18b biosignature controversy Newly named dwarf planet candidates Máni, Aya, Achlys, Ritona
2025_UC11
travel, tourism, insurance
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