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The Planetary Science Journal
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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The Planetary Science Journal
Article . 2025
Data sources: DOAJ
https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/ar...
Article . 2025
License: CC 0
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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as an Extraterrestrial Atmospheric Technosignature

Authors: Dwaipayan Dubey; Ravi Kopparapu; Barbara Ercolano; Karan Molaverdikhani;

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as an Extraterrestrial Atmospheric Technosignature

Abstract

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are prevalent in the Universe and interstellar medium but are primarily attributed to anthropogenic sources on Earth, such as fossil fuel combustion and firewood burning. Drawing upon the idea of PAHs being suitable candidates for technosignatures, we investigate the detectability of those PAHs that have available absorption cross sections in the atmospheres of Earth-like exoplanets (orbiting G-type stars at a distance of 10 pc) with an 8 m mirror of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). Specifically, we focus on Naphthalene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene, and Pyrene. Our simulations indicate that under current-Earth-like conditions, detecting PAH signatures between 0.2 and 0.515 μm is infeasible. To account for the historical decline in PAH production post the industrial revolution, we explore varying PAH concentrations to assess instrumental capabilities of detecting civilizations resembling modern Earth. We also evaluate telescope architectures (6 m, 8 m, and 10 m mirror diameters) to put our results into the context of the future HWO mission. With these four molecules, PAH detection remains infeasible, even at concentrations 10 times higher than current levels. While larger mirrors provide some advantages, they fail to resolve the spectral signatures of these molecules with significant signal-to-noise ratios. The UV absorption features of PAHs—caused by π-orbital → π*-orbital electronic transitions—serve as valuable markers, due to their distinct and detectable nature, preserved by the aromatic stability of PAHs. Additional lab measurements are necessary to gather absorption cross-sectional data beyond UV for more abundant PAHs. This may help further in improving the detectability of these molecules.

Keywords

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP), Exoplanet atmospheric composition, Astronomy, FOS: Physical sciences, QB1-991, Technosignatures, Exoplanet atmospheres, Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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