From R&D Mag
Researchers demonstrate for the first time the potential of existing technology to directly detect and characterize life on Mars and other planets. The study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, used miniaturized scientific instruments and new microbiology techniques to identify and examine microorganisms in the Canadian high Arctic -- one of the closest analogs to Mars on Earth. By avoiding delays that come with having to return samples to a laboratory for analysis, the methodology could also be used on Earth to detect and identify pathogens during epidemics in remote areas.Read more: https://www.rdmag.com/news/2018/01/new-technique-finding-life-mars"The search for life is a major focus of planetary exploration, but there hasn't been direct life detection instrumentation on a mission since the 70s, during the Viking missions to Mars," explains Dr Jacqueline Goordial, one of the study's authors. "We wanted to show a proof-of-concept that microbial life can be directly detected and identified using very portable, low-weight, and low-energy tools."
At present, most instruments on astrobiology missions look for habitable conditions, small organic molecules and other "biosignatures" that generally could not be formed without life. However, these provide only indirect evidence of life. Moreover, current instruments are relatively large and heavy with high energy requirements. This makes them unsuitable for missions to Europa and Enceladus -- moons of Jupiter and Saturn which, along with Mars, are the primary targets in the search for life in our solar system.
Miniature instruments could bring big findings
For some reason I find this development exciting. I really hope I live to see a mission that goes to Europa to administer tests like these in the search for life beyond our planet.
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