For centuries, humans have wondered whether life exists beyond Earth. Now, space agencies plan to bring samples of Mars rock to Earth within the next decade, marking a major step in this quest. Scientists are working on new methods to detect life, particularly those that could potentially be found in Martian samples.
A team of scientists, including experts from the University of Tokyo and NASA, has successfully tested a technique capable of identifying life in ancient Earth rocks similar to those found on Mars. The international Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) developed safety protocols for handling Martian samples, covering collection, transport, and analysis procedures.
To tackle the challenge of detecting life in these samples, a team led by Professor Yohey Suzuki examined ancient Earth rocks rich in microbes. They used optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, which succeeded where other techniques lacked precision or required too much destruction of the samples. This method uses infrared light to analyze prepared rock samples and can identify structures as small as half a micrometer.
If signs of life are detected in Martian rock samples, it would mean that life is not unique to Earth and may exist elsewhere in the universe. Even if no traces of life are found, these samples will provide valuable insights into Mars’ geological history and climate evolution.
The study’s findings, published in the International Journal of Astrobiology, mark a significant step forward in the search for extraterrestrial life. As technology advances, this breakthrough technique brings us closer to answering one of humanity’s greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe?
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/detecting-life-on-mars-a-breakthrough-in-space-research