Biosignatures & Paleobiology Archives

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Sample Return, Status Report

The Antarctic Dry Valley Lakes: Relevance To Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 1, 1989June 13, 2026

The similarity of the early environments of Mars and Earth, and the biological evolution which occurred on early Earth, motivates exobiologists to seriously consider the possibility of an early Martian […]

Astrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Policy, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, SETI & Technosignatures

Hearing: Possibility Of Intelligent Life Elsewhere In The Universe [1977 Revision]

by Keith CowingOctober 1, 1977June 16, 2026

Prepared for the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth Congress, first session, by the Science Policy research Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. Full text […]

The Viking 1 Lander sampling arm created a number of deep trenches as part of the surface composition and biology experiments on Mars. The digging tool on the sampling arm (at lower center) could scoop up samples of material and deposit them into the appropriate experiment. Some holes were dug deeper to study soil which was not affected by solar radiation and weathering. The trenches in this ESE looking image are in the "Sandy Flats" area of the landing site at Chryse Planitia. The boom holding the meteorology sensors is at left. -- NASA

Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Viking 1 Examines Martian Soil

by Keith CowingFebruary 10, 1977December 23, 2023

Operations have begun at the Viking landing site to dig foot-deep trench in the Martian soil and distribute samples to three instruments.

Jupiter

Particles, Environments And Possible Ecologies In The Jovian Atmosphere

by Keith CowingMay 1, 1976July 3, 2026

The eddy diffusion coefficient is estimated as a function of altitude, separately for the Jovian troposphere and mesosphere. Complex organic molecules produced by the Ly alpha photolysis of methane may […]

Press Release

Second Viking Oven May Have Failed

by Keith CowingJanuary 27, 1976June 27, 2026

One of three small ovens in an experiment aboard the Viking 1 spacecraft may not be working, similar to condition on Viking 2 reported last week. Both Vikings are enroute […]

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors

Viking 2 Oven Has Failed

by Keith CowingJanuary 23, 1976December 23, 2023

One of three small ovens on an experiment aboard NASA’s Viking 2 Lander apparently did not operate during recent checkout tests of the instrument.

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors

Mars Viking Program Press Kit

by Keith CowingJanuary 1, 1975June 20, 2026

The 1975-1976 Viking Mars Mission is described in detail, from launch phase through landing and communications relay phase.

Mariner II approaches Venus - Astrobiology.com

Status Report

Mariner II Observations Of Venus

by Keith CowingJune 21, 1966June 27, 2026

Principal Investigator – Dr. Carl Sagan

Astrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report

Biology And The Exploration Of Mars

by Keith CowingMay 25, 1966June 13, 2026

PREFACE Until recent years the origin of life and its possible occurrence elsewhere in the universe have been matters for speculation only. The rapid growth of molecular biology since 1940 […]