Directional Aspects of Vegetation Linear and Circular Polarization Biosignatures.

ABSTRACT: Homochirality is a generic and unique property of all biochemical life and it is considered a universal and agnostic biosignature. Upon interaction with unpolarized light, homochirality induces fractional circular polarization in the light that is scattered from it, which can be sensed remotely. As such, it can be a prime candidate biosignature in the context of future life detection missions and observatories. The linear polarizance of vegetation is also sometimes envisaged as a biosignature, although it does not share the same molecular origin as circular polarization. It is known that linear polarization of surfaces is strongly dependent on the phase angle. The relationship between the phase angle and circular polarization stemming from macromolecular assemblies such as in vegetation, h

SUBMITTER: Patty CHL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9508456 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature