The peak absorbance wavelength of photosynthetic pigments around other stars from spectral optimization

TL;DR

This study models the optimal absorption wavelengths of photosynthetic pigments on planets orbiting different star types, aiding the detection of extraterrestrial life through spectral signatures.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative prediction of photosynthetic pigment absorption spectra based on stellar type and atmospheric conditions, extending previous qualitative estimates.

Findings

Peak absorption shifts from blue to near-infrared with cooler stars.

Atmospheric water vapor influences pigment absorption predictions.

Predicted spectra align with prior qualitative estimates.

Abstract

In the search for life on other planets, the presence of photosynthetic vegetation may be detectable from the colors of light it reflects. On the modern Earth, this spectral reflectance is characterized by an increase in reflectance between the red and near-infrared wavelengths, a "red edge". On planets orbiting different stellar types, red edge analogs may occur at other colors than red. Thus, knowing the wavelengths at which photosynthetic organisms preferentially absorb and reflect photons is necessary to detect red edge analogs on other planets. Using a numerical model that predicts the absorbance spectrum of extant photosynthetic pigments on Earth from Marosv\"olgyi and van Gorkom (2010), we calculate the absorbance spectrum for pigments on an Earth-like planet around F through late M type stars that are adapted for maximal energy production. In this model, cellular energy production is maximized when pigments are tuned to absorb at the wavelength that maximizes energy input from incident photons while minimizing thermal emission and costs to build the photosynthetic apparatus. We find that peak photon absorption for photosynthetic organisms around F type stars tends to be in the blue while for G, K, and early M type stars, red or just beyond is preferred. Around the coolest M type stars, these organisms may preferentially absorb in the near-infrared, possibly past one micron. These predictions are consistent with previous, qualitative estimates of pigment absorptance. Our predicted pigment absorbance spectra depend on both the stellar type and planetary atmospheric composition, especially atmospheric water vapor concentrations, which alter the availability of surface photons and thus the predicted pigment absorption. By constraining the absorbance spectra of alien, photosynthetic organisms, future observations may be better equipped to detect red edge analogs.