Searching for Biosignatures in Saturn’s E Ring: A data Pipeline for Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer
Advisor(s)
Dr. Cristopher Spiese
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 10:50 AM
Abstract
The Cassini–Huygens spacecraft explored the Saturn system and neighboring bodies for 20 years. One of the on-board instruments was the Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA), a time-of-flight mass spectrometer designed to characterize the chemical composition of dust. Because of the potential habitability of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, biosignature compounds present in the E ring or in the Enceladus plume would be a strong indication of life. This study aims to develop a data pipeline for analysis of CDA signals, ultimately searching for biosignature compounds. Previous studies have generated the constants required to calibrate TOF to mass charge ratios using experimental data. Following calibration, filtering of signals was accomplished to identify likely impact events. Next, characteristic peaks for compounds of interest were sought in likely impact signals. If found, biosignature signals could indicate the presence of life in the Saturnian system.
Recommended Citation
Kosir, Jeremy, "Searching for Biosignatures in Saturn’s E Ring: A data Pipeline for Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 17.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/17
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
Searching for Biosignatures in Saturn’s E Ring: A data Pipeline for Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
The Cassini–Huygens spacecraft explored the Saturn system and neighboring bodies for 20 years. One of the on-board instruments was the Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA), a time-of-flight mass spectrometer designed to characterize the chemical composition of dust. Because of the potential habitability of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, biosignature compounds present in the E ring or in the Enceladus plume would be a strong indication of life. This study aims to develop a data pipeline for analysis of CDA signals, ultimately searching for biosignature compounds. Previous studies have generated the constants required to calibrate TOF to mass charge ratios using experimental data. Following calibration, filtering of signals was accomplished to identify likely impact events. Next, characteristic peaks for compounds of interest were sought in likely impact signals. If found, biosignature signals could indicate the presence of life in the Saturnian system.