The vast range of the electromagnetic spectrum and the wide range of potential signaling methods make comprehensive searches for extraterrestrial signals difficult. Perhaps because of this, in nearly five decades of SETI searches no indications of extraterrestrial civilization have been seen. Expanding technologies and new instruments can help close the gaps in the SETI search space. New techni...

Mobile robots are recognized as being essential for the exploration of planets in our solar system. In this paper, we introduce a new approach for a self-localization and navigation unit for mobile platforms in extraterrestrial environments. Our work is based on a general concept for self-localization in unstructured environments. It has been implemented for earthbound environments and successf...

Laser mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for the sensitive, selective, and spatially resolved analysis of organic compounds in extraterrestrial materials. Using microprobe two-step laser mass spectrometry (muL(2)MS), we have explored the organic composition of many different exogenous materials, including meteorites, interplanetary dust particles, and interstellar ice analogs, gaining signifi...

It has often been concluded that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) should concentrate on attempts to receive signals in the microwave region, the argument being given that communication can occur there at minimum broadcasted power. Such a conclusion is shown to result only under a restricted set of assumptions. If generalized types of detection are considered-in particular, phot...

The magma ocean concept was first conceived to explain the geology of Moon, but hemispherical or global oceans silicate melt could be a widespread “lava world” phase rocky planet accretion, and persist on planets short-period orbits around other stars. formation crystallization defining stage in assembly core, origin crust, initiation tectonics, an atmosphere. last decade has seen significant a...

The apprehension of the last three factors of the Drake equation, fi · fc · L, is misguided or at least not very well examined. This article scrutinizes the underlying suppositions involved in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) research. What is meant by “intelligence,” “technology,” and “civilization”? What makes them possible, and how do they evolve? The present examination a...

The Chicxulub impact event led to a worldwide deposition of impact materials originated from target rocks and the vaporized bolide. Relative contributions of both types of material to the K/T ejecta deposits vary with distance to the crater site. At distal sites (e.g., Agost and Caravaca in the SE of Spain) a major contribution of extraterrestrial material is indicated by different impact signa...