An information theory approach to identifying signs of life on transiting planets

Abstract

Can information theory provide insights into whether exoplanets are habitable? Here, we apply information theory to a range of simulated exoplanet transmission spectra as a diagnostic tool to search for potential signatures of life on Earth-analogue planets. We test the algorithms on three epochs of evolution for Earth-like planets orbiting a range of host stars. The JWST and upcoming ground- and space-based missions promise to achieve sufficient high-resolution data that information theory can be applied to assess habitability. This approach provides a framework and a tool for observers to assess whether an exoplanet shows signs of habitability.