Mota, Afonso und Koch, Stella Marie und Matthiä, Daniel und Santos, Nuno und Cortesao, Marta (2025) How Habitable Are M Dwarf Exoplanets? Modeling Surface Conditions and Exploring the Role of Melanins in the Survival of Aspergillus niger Spores Under Exoplanet-Like Radiation. Astrobiology, 25 (3), Seiten 161-176. Mary Ann Liebert Inc.. doi: 10.1089/ast.2024.0023. ISSN 1531-1074.
![]() |
PDF
- Verlagsversion (veröffentlichte Fassung)
2MB |
Offizielle URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ast.2024.0023
Kurzfassung
Exoplanet habitability remains a challenging field due to the large distances separating Earth from other stars. Using insights from biology and astrophysics, we studied the habitability of M dwarf exoplanets by modeling their surface temperature and flare ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray doses using the martian atmosphere as a shielding model. Analyzing the Proxima Centauri and TRAPPIST-1 systems, our models suggest that Proxima b and TRAPPIST-1 e are likeliest to have temperatures compatible with surface liquid water, as well as tolerable radiation environments. Results of the modeling were used as a basis for microbiology experiments to assess spore survival and germination of the melanin-rich fungus Aspergillus niger to exoplanet-like radiation (UV-C and X-rays). Results showed that A. niger spores can endure superflare events on M dwarf planets when shielded by a Mars-like atmosphere or by a thin layer of soil or water. Melanin-deficient spores suspended in a melanin-rich solution showed higher survival rates and germination efficiency when compared to melanin-free solutions. Overall, the models developed in this work establish a framework for microbiological research in habitability studies. Finally, we showed that A. niger spores can survive harsh radiation conditions of simulated exoplanets, which also emphasizes the importance of multifunctional molecules like melanins in radiation shielding beyond Earth.
elib-URL des Eintrags: | https://elib.dlr.de/213349/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dokumentart: | Zeitschriftenbeitrag | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Titel: | How Habitable Are M Dwarf Exoplanets? Modeling Surface Conditions and Exploring the Role of Melanins in the Survival of Aspergillus niger Spores Under Exoplanet-Like Radiation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Autoren: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Datum: | März 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Erschienen in: | Astrobiology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Referierte Publikation: | Ja | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open Access: | Ja | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Open Access: | Nein | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In SCOPUS: | Ja | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In ISI Web of Science: | Ja | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Band: | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
DOI: | 10.1089/ast.2024.0023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seitenbereich: | Seiten 161-176 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Verlag: | Mary Ann Liebert Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ISSN: | 1531-1074 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status: | veröffentlicht | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stichwörter: | Exoplanets—M dwarfs—Radiation—Aspergillus niger—Habitability—Melanin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Forschungsbereich: | Luftfahrt, Raumfahrt und Verkehr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Programm: | Raumfahrt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Programmthema: | Forschung unter Weltraumbedingungen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Schwerpunkt: | Raumfahrt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Forschungsgebiet: | R FR - Forschung unter Weltraumbedingungen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Teilgebiet (Projekt, Vorhaben): | R - Projekt ISS LIFE 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standort: | Köln-Porz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Institute & Einrichtungen: | Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin > Strahlenbiologie Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin > Gravitationsbiologie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hinterlegt von: | Kopp, Kerstin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hinterlegt am: | 27 Mär 2025 10:41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Letzte Änderung: | 01 Apr 2025 14:02 |
Nur für Mitarbeiter des Archivs: Kontrollseite des Eintrags