phyllosilicate Archives

(a) Mastcam-Z image of the base of the delta with the Rockytop outcrop within the 6 m high scarp (sol 429, zcam08452) located at the base of the Tenby formation immediately overlying the Hogwallow Flats light-toned deposits. The white arrow indicates the fallen block where the SuperCam target Fourway has been analyzed. -- JGR Planets

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

In Situ Carbonation of Sedimentary and Igneous Rocks of Ultramafic Composition in Jezero Crater, Mars

by Keith CowingMay 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Over 3.5 years of exploration in Jezero Crater, the Perseverance rover has explored several geological units of diverse origins and natures, performing multi-technique remote analyses of the chemistry and mineralogy […]

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Sample Return, Status Report

Bennu And Ryugu Cconstituents From Samples IR Analyses And Potential Source Of Terrestrial Planets’ Ingredients

by Keith CowingFebruary 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Samples collected on carbonaceous asteroids and preserved from terrestrial alteration are key witnesses of the early evolution of the Solar System. Here we present the results of the characterization, by […]

Geographic distribution of extreme environments, that can serve as planetary analogues, overlaid on a hypsometric map of the Indian subcontinent and adjoining Indian Ocean. -- Frontiers via eartharxiv.org

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrobiology (general), Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Nomenclature, Systematics, Natural History, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Planetary Analog Sites In The Indian Subcontinent And The Indian Ocean: Underexplored Environments Suited For Astrobiological And Space Research

by Keith CowingFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Astrobiology seeks to understand the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the Universe, focusing on habitability beyond Earth.

Colorized HiRISE map of the western edge of Jezero crater with rover traverse. The colors of the traverse indicate the location of different science campaigns with green showing the Crater Floor campaign (Section 2.1), orange showing the Fan Front campaign (Section 2.2), blue showing the Upper Fan campaign (Section 2.2), and pink showing the Margin Unit campaign (Section 2.4). Black arrows indicate the location of two investigations on boulders (Section 2.3). Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) scans are indicated by either a square, triangle, or circle, indicating data collected on a natural surface target, an abrasion patch, or an abrasion patch where a sample was also collected, respectively. Sols associated with the triangles and circles indicate when the rover was at that location. The location of Three Forks Depot is shown by a star for reference. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report

Multiple Episodes of Fluid Alteration in Jezero Crater Indicated by MIST Mineral Identifications in PIXL XRF Data

by Keith CowingSeptember 23, 2025September 23, 2025

The Mineral Identification by Stoichiometry (MIST) algorithm can identify mineral species in geochemical data sets. MIST is applied to X-ray fluorescence chemical analyses from the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry […]

This color view of Ryugu's surface at night was created from images captured by MASCOT using red, green, and blue LEDs for illumination. MASCOT/DLR/JAXA via Planetary Society

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Sample Return, Status Report

Variations Of Organic Functional Chemistry In Carbonaceous Matter From The Asteroid 162173 Ryugu

by Keith CowingSeptember 22, 2024September 22, 2024

Primordial carbon delivered to the early earth by asteroids and meteorites provided a diverse source of extraterrestrial organics from pre-existing simple organic compounds, complex solar-irradiated macromolecules, and macromolecules from extended […]

The opened science canister in the glovebox at JSC. The cylindrical TAGSAM head is positioned in the center of the avionics deck. Dark particles and dust can be seen on the avionics deck, the top of TAGSAM, and the inside of the canister’s lid. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Exploration Gear & Tech, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Sample Return, Status Report

Asteroid (101955) Bennu In The Laboratory: Properties Of The Sample Collected By OSIRIS-REx

by Keith CowingApril 22, 2024April 22, 2024

On 24 September 2023, the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission dropped a capsule to Earth containing approximately 120 g of pristine carbonaceous regolith from Bennu.

A representative texture of the Ryugu particle (A0022). (a) An optical image of an entire view of the particle. The rough and irregular surface is finely cracked, resulting in the particle being fragile in nature. (b) A back-scattered electron image of a cross section of the particle. Several µm to 10’s of µm-sized carbonates (mainly dolomite), Fe-oxides (e.g., magnetite), and Fe-sulfides (e.g., pyrrhotite) are widespread in the phyllosilicate-dominated matrix (smectite and serpentine), which also includes sub-µm-sized organic matter, Fe-sulfide, carbonate, and phosphate minerals. -- Okayama University

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

How Were Amino Acids Formed Before The Origin Of Life On Earth?

by Keith CowingApril 5, 2023April 5, 2023

Our solar system formed from a molecular cloud, which was composed of gas and dust that was emitted into the interstellar medium (ISM), a vast space between stars. On collapse […]

phyllosilicate

In Situ Carbonation of Sedimentary and Igneous Rocks of Ultramafic Composition in Jezero Crater, Mars

Bennu And Ryugu Cconstituents From Samples IR Analyses And Potential Source Of Terrestrial Planets’ Ingredients

Planetary Analog Sites In The Indian Subcontinent And The Indian Ocean: Underexplored Environments Suited For Astrobiological And Space Research

Multiple Episodes of Fluid Alteration in Jezero Crater Indicated by MIST Mineral Identifications in PIXL XRF Data

Variations Of Organic Functional Chemistry In Carbonaceous Matter From The Asteroid 162173 Ryugu

Asteroid (101955) Bennu In The Laboratory: Properties Of The Sample Collected By OSIRIS-REx

How Were Amino Acids Formed Before The Origin Of Life On Earth?

NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,211 7 August 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)

The Early Career Astrobiology Workforce Under Strain Survey Evidence From 2025-2026

Atmospheres As Habitats

Biosignature Reservoirs In The Rozel Point Tar Seeps At Great Salt Lake, Utah

Euhabitability: A New Term To Aid In The Search For Life In Addition To The Habitable Zone Framework