Europa
Europa
Creating the forensic toolkit to find life in our Solar System

Research

The Carl Sagan Institute will create the forensic toolkit to find life on planets in our Solar System and beyond using multidisciplinary research. We explore planets, moons and planetary systems: How they form, how they evolve, and whether they can harbor life. CSI engages in a wide range of exciting science and takes an interdisciplinary approach.

Research Areas

Atmospheric Spectral Signatures

We focus on planets and moons orbiting stars bright enough for future atmosphere follow-up, especially Mini- to Super-Earths (rocky terrestrial planets of 0.5-10 Earth masses) orbiting in the “Habitable Zones” around their host stars.

Atmospheric Spectral Signatures

Engaging With Life on Earth

We use Earth biota as a Rosetta Stone for the search for life on other worlds. We include life forms that are called “extreme” on our own planet, but could be dominant on other worlds and develop observing strategies and mission concepts for future searches.

Engaging With Life on Earth

Habitable Environments

We explore the Solar System to understand how giant planets and their moons form and evolve, to search for habitable environments on and within moons (like Enceladus, Europa and Titan), and to examine the farthest bodies in the solar system for clues to the early history of the solar system.

Habitable Environments

Planetary Environments

We examine Earth and Solar System input of geophysical fluid dynamics and thermal evolution of solid planets and the tectonic, glacial and volcanic features that shape their surfaces to model and study a wide range of possible planets and moons inside and outside our own Solar System.

Planetary Environments

Planetary System Formation and Evolution

We use Earth and Solar System input of geophysical fluid dynamics and thermal evolution of solid planets and the tectonic, glacial and volcanic features that shape their surfaces to model and study a wide range of possible planets and moons inside and outside our own Solar System.

Planetary System Formation and Evolution

Technological Development and Missions

We look at new approaches to space exploration, including technologies that may someday enable robotic missions to another solar system, cube sats and robotic eels.

Technological Development and Missions

CSI Research Destinations

Research Team Areas of Research

CSI Research in the news

Scientists use color catalog of biosignatures to search for extraterrestrial life

Planetary landscape

Research Opportunities

Come and bring your ideas to the CSI – postdoctoral and graduate fellowships allow you to the freedom to engage in your own ideas – contact us and we’ll be happy to work with you on the applications – some links: 

If you have a good idea contact us, we have several opportunities to work on a short or longer term basis and are looking for excellent candidates to fill those positions (positions are also announced periodically on AAS) – and will be posted here as well.

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