NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover is exploring a new region of interest the team is calling “Krokodillen” that may contain some of the oldest rocks on Mars. The area has been […]
clay
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Ultrasound Assisted Extraction Of Amino Acids And Nucleobases From Clay Minerals And Astrobiological Samples
The study of organic molecules in meteorite and return samples allows for the understanding of the chemistry that undergoes in our Solar System. The present work aims at studying ultrasound […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Status Report
A Clay-Rich Mound In An Eroded Plateau On Mars
These mounds contain bright-toned material which have been found to be clay-bearing with data from the CRISM instrument on MRO.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Status Report
Orbital Recon of Mars: Nili Fossae On Mars – Including Clay Minerals That May Preserve Organic Materials
In a Context Camera (CTX) image, there is a large angular fragment that appears to have light and dark-toned bands.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Clays And The Origin Of Life: The Experiments
There are three groups of scientists dominating the search for the origin of life: the organic chemists (the Soup), the molecular biologists (RNA world), and the inorganic chemists (metabolism and […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Press Release
A Hydrogen-rich First Atmosphere For Mars Inferred From Clays On Its Surface
According to new research, Mars may have been born a blue and water-covered world, long before the Earth had even finished forming. The discovery could open a window for scientists […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Life Imitates Mica
In mythologies and origin stories around the world, various cultures and religions point to clay as the vessel of life, the primordial material that creator gods imbued with a self-sustaining […]
Posted inIcy Worlds
Clay-like Minerals Found on Icy Crust of Europa
A new analysis of data from Galileo has revealed clay-type minerals at the surface Europa that appear to have been delivered by a spectacular collision with an asteroid or comet. […]
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports
Dale Andersen's Antarctic Field Report 26 November 2013
Today’s weather is a major improvement over what we have seen the last two weeks while in Antarctica. This really is the first day of beautiful blue skies, sunshine and […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Origin & Evolution of Life
Martian Clay Contains Chemical Implicated in the Origin of Life
Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa NASA Astrobiology Institute (UHNAI) have discovered high concentrations of boron in a Martian meteorite. When present in its oxidized form (borate), boron […]