The compositions of the 3.7-billion-year-old surface rocks on Mars — as observed by the Spirit rover at Gusev crater — are shown to be consistent with early mixing of oxidized […]
astrobiology
Posted inAnalog Studies, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Zoe Robot Searches for Subsurface 'Martian' Life in Chilean Desert
The autonomous, solar-powered Zoe, which became the first robot to map microbial life during a 2005 field expedition in Chile’s Atacama Desert, is heading back to the world’s driest desert […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Scientists Find Possible Solution to an Ancient Enigma
The widespread disappearance of stromatolites, the earliest visible manifestation of life on Earth, may have been driven by single-celled organisms called foraminifera. Image: Stromatolites, once widespread in coastal areas, now […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general)
Brazilian Network of Astrobiology Created
Recently the Brazilian Network of Astrobiology (Rede Brasileira de Astrobiologia – RBA) was created. Linked to the Research Unit in Astrobiology (NAP-Astrobio) of the Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP). NAP-Astrobio […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Astrochemistry: the issue of molecular complexity in astrophysical environments
Astrochemistry aims at studying chemical processes in astronomical environments. This discipline — located at the crossroad between astrophysics and chemistry — is rapidly evolving and explores the issue of the […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrobiology (general), Mars
Bacterium from Canadian High Arctic and life on Mars
The temperature in the permafrost on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian high Arctic is nearly as cold as that of the surface of Mars. So the recent discovery by a […]
Posted inEducation and Outreach, Press Release
Celebrate One Year of Virtual Discovery and Exploration with S.A.G.A.N.
Are we alone in the universe? How did life begin? Will the human civilization expand out into the solar system and beyond? How can we act as curators of our […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Interstellar, Press Release
Key to Cosmic Carbon's Molecular Evolution
Scientists at NASA’s Ames Research Center now have the capability to systematically investigate the molecular evolution of cosmic carbon. For the first time, these scientists are able to automatically interpret […]
Posted inEuropa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration
The Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration (ICEE) Program supports the advanced development of spacecraft-based instruments for Europa exploration. The goal of the program is to mature and reduce the technical […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones
The Hadean Earth-Moon System – Workshop Without Walls
Please join us for the NAI Early Earth Focus Group Workshop Without Walls on “The Hadean Earth-Moon System”. The workshop is aimed at providing the most up-to-date science on the […]