Predicting geologic context from satellite data is a method used on Earth for exploration in areas with limited ground truth. The method can be used to predict facies likely to contain organic-rich shales. Such shales concentrate and preserve organics and are major repositories of organic biosignatures on Earth [1]. Since current surface conditions on Mars are unfavorable for development of abundant life or for preservation of organic remains of past life, the chances are low of encountering organics in surface samples. Thus, focusing martian exploration on sites predicted to contain organic-rich shales would optimize the chances of discovering evidence of life, if it ever existed on that planet.
The Search for Biosignatures on Mars: Using Predictive Geology to Optimize Exploration Targets
42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference ; 2011 ; The Woodlands, TX, United States
2011-01-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Sensor Web for In Situ Exploration of Gaseous Biosignatures
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000
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