Center for Planetary Habitability (PHAB)

The idea that worlds around other stars could develop and maintain environments hospitable to life ― in a way similar to our planet ― has captivated scientists for centuries. Yet, to investigate this question, we must recognize and characterize the key conditions that make a planet habitable. This endeavor is the prime objective for the Center for Planetary Habitability.

The only planet on which life is known to have originated (Earth) appears unique in many ways, including the presence of abundant surface water, a large moon, a long-lived magnetic field and plate tectonics. Yet, which of these and other characteristics are essential for its long-term habitability? Equally, how have Earth’s physical and chemical attributes, and thus our planet’s proclivity for life, evolved? How can we recognize distant worlds around other stars that have been or could be habitable? These questions, and a new understanding of planetary habitability unfolding from them, are especially important as we now embark on an unprecedented era of exploration and discovery of extra-solar planetary systems.

PRIME OBJECTIVE

Recognize and characterize the key conditions that make a planet habitable

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES

֎ Establish absolute timelines for key events in the Solar System

֎ Characterize the initial physical and chemical conditions of habitability for life as we know it

֎ Explore how a planet’s composition and interior influence its ability to nurture a biosphere

֎ Unravel correlative versus causal relationships among biotic and abiotic time-series

֎ Identify the drivers for greenhouse versus icehouse conditions

֎ Understand life-threatening tipping points and the fragility of habitability

֎ Recognize planets around other host stars that are or were potentially habitable