New Laser Detects Microfossils in Martian Gypsum Deposits

NASA’s Perseverance rover has been searching for evidence of ancient life on Mars, but a new laser-based technology could potentially detect microbial fossils in Martian gypsum deposits. The device, developed by Youcef Sellam and his team at the University of Bern, uses a combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and spatially resolved laser ablation mass spectrometry to analyze rocks and soils for signs of organic compounds.

The method is based on the idea that ancient sediments can hold fossilized evidence of microbes. Gypsum deposits on Mars are thought to have formed rapidly, trapping microorganisms before they decomposed, and preserving biological structures and chemical biosignatures. On Earth, gypsum deposits have been extensively studied for evidence of microbes, and similar conditions are expected on Mars.

The researchers tested their method in Martian-analog gypsum deposits in Algeria, using a miniature laser-powered mass spectrometer to analyze the chemical composition of samples. They found “a densely interwoven network of brownish, sinuous, and curved fossil filaments of various sizes” in some samples. These findings suggest that the device can detect not only microbial fossils but also chemical elements necessary for life, such as carbonaceous material.

The technology has the potential to be implemented in future rover missions to Mars, including the ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover scheduled to launch in 2028. If proven reliable, it could help scientists identify signs of past life on Mars and better understand the planet’s environmental conditions. However, more work is needed to refine the method and improve its confidence level.

The study underscores the importance of hydrated sulphate deposits as archives of biological history on Earth and potentially on Mars. With this technology, scientists may finally be able to uncover evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet.

Source: https://www.universetoday.com/171075/this-laser-could-find-fossil-microbes-on-mars