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Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Dale Andersen’s Astrobiology Antarctic Research: Permafrost And Ground-ice Conditions in the Untersee Oasis, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica (Paper)

by Keith Cowing

Keith’s note: Astrobiologist Dale Andersen is back in Antarctica at Lake Untersee in October-December 2024 for another field season of research (preview). Dale’s work is coordinated through the SETI Institute. […]

Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return

Mirror Bacteria Report: Call For A Global Discussion About Possible Risks

by Keith Cowing

Editor’s note: As we study how Earth life is put together it is helpful to understand alternate ways that chemistry could combine to form living systems. One way is to […]

Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Understanding The Molecular Mechanisms Involved In Nitrous Oxide Reduction By Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent Bacteria

by Keith Cowing

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the third most potent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. It can also be oxidized by physical processes to form ozone-depleting substances. Atmospheric concentrations of […]

Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

New NASA Report: Expanding The Horizons Of Mars Science

by Keith Cowing

Full document Background NASA’s Mars Exploration Program (MEP) is a science-driven, robotic-focused effort to characterize and understand Mars, including its current environment, climate and geological history, and biological potential, and […]

Posted inAstrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

Diagenetic History and Biosignature Preservation Potential of Fine-Grained Rocks at Hogwallow Flats, Jezero Crater, Mars

by Keith Cowing

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover discovered fine-grained clastic sedimentary rocks in the “Hogwallow Flats” member of the “Shenandoah” formation at Jezero crater, Mars.

Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Sample Return, Status Report

Comparing Microbial Populations From Diverse Hydrothermal Features In Yellowstone National Park

by Keith Cowing

Geothermal features, such as hot springs and mud volcanoes, host diverse microbial life, including many extremophile organisms. The physicochemical parameters of the geothermal feature, such as temperature, pH, and heavy […]

Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report

An Airlock Concept To Reduce Contamination Risks During The Human Exploration Of Mars

by Keith Cowing

Protecting the Martian environment from contamination with terrestrial microbes is generally seen as essential to the scientific exploration of Mars, especially when it comes to the search for indigenous life.

Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Exploration Gear & Tech, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Sample Return, Status Report, Venus

Venus Cloud Catcher As A Proof Of Concept Aerosol Collection Instrument

by Keith Cowing

We report on the proof-of-concept of a low-mass, low-power method for collecting micron-sized sulfuric acid aerosols in bulk from the atmosphere of Venus. The collection method uses four wired meshes […]

Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, NASA Astrobiology Program, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Policy, Sample Return, Status Report

NASA’s Office of Planetary Protection Has A New Logo

by Keith Cowing

Editor’s note: According to a LinkedIn post by James Benardini, Planetary Protection Officer at NASA: “NASA’s Office of Planetary Protection just released it’s new logo today! Excited to share this […]

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