The Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) 2024, held in Providence, RI, from May 5-10, brought together leading scientists to discuss the latest advancements in the search for life beyond Earth. Among the notable contributions were those from members of the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) team, who presented several significant studies and updates on our mission. Here are the key contributions from the LIFE team at the conference:

A Generalised Framework for Target Confusion and Application to Photobombing for a MIR Rotating Interferometer

Drinor Cacaj introduced a generalized framework designed to address the issue of target confusion, particularly in the context of photobombing, where background objects can interfere with the observation of exoplanets. This framework is crucial for improving the accuracy of mid-infrared (MIR) observations by the LIFE mission, ensuring that the data collected is as precise and reliable as possible.

LIFE Looks for Life – Status and Progress of the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets Mission

Daniel Angerhausen provided an update on the status and progress of the LIFE mission. The poster highlighted the mission’s objectives, which include the direct detection and atmospheric characterization of exoplanets, particularly those that are terrestrial and temperate. Daniel discussed the significant growth of the LIFE community, now comprising over 150 collaborators worldwide, and summarized recent scientific results and trade-off studies that have been conducted to refine the mission’s design and objectives.

Quantifying the Potential of Joint Observations with the Habitable Worlds Observatory and the LIFE Interferometer to Characterize an Earth Twin

Eleonora Alei’s presentation focused on the synergies for joint observations between the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) and the LIFE interferometer. By combining the capabilities of both missions, the study shows how it will enhance the characterization of Earth-like exoplanets. Eleonora quantified how these joint observations could improve our understanding of an Earth twin’s atmospheric properties, leveraging the strengths of both instruments to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Detecting Population-level CO2 Trends in Habitable Zone Planet Atmospheres with LIFElike Observations

Janina Hansen presented research on detecting population-level CO2 trends in the atmospheres of habitable zone planets using observations similar to those planned for the LIFE mission. Janina’s work demonstrates how the LIFE mission’s capabilities can be utilized to monitor and analyze CO2 levels across a population of exoplanets. This study is critical for understanding the commonness of climate-stabilizing feedback mechanisms that have helped to maintain habitable conditions on Earth over geologic time scales.

These contributions underscore the commitment of the whole LIFE team  to advancing our understanding of exoplanets and their potential habitability. The presentations at AbSciCon 2024 showcased the innovative approaches and collaborative efforts driving the mission forward, highlighting the significant progress made and the exciting prospects for future discoveries.