Geomarkers<i>versus</i>Biomarkers: Paleoenvironmental and Astrobiological Significance

Martínez‐Frías, Jesús; Lázaro, Ester; Esteve‐Núñez, Abraham

doi:10.1579/0044-7447(2007)36[425:gvbpaa]2.0.co;2

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…These models can be used to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of habitable environments, identify regions of interest in the search for life, and, eventually, explore correlations between habitability and biosignatures. For example, such models would help to test the hypothesis that biosignatures (or biomarkers) are positively correlated with proxy indicators of geologically habitable environments (or geomarkers); i.e., there is life whenever there are habitable environments on Earth (Martinez-Frias et al, 2007). We also note that the concept of biosignatures encompasses any detectable signature of life or its byproducts on a planet's atmosphere, which includes possible signatures of planetary-scale technology, known as technosignatures (Wright & Gelino, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitability Models for Astrobiology

et al. 2021

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitability Models for Astrobiology

et al. 2021

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“…These models can be used to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of habitable environments, identify regions of interest in the search for life, and, eventually, explore correlations between habitability and biosignatures. For example, such models would help to test the hypothesis that biosignatures (or biomarkers ) are positively correlated with proxy indicators of geologically habitable environments (or geomarkers ); i.e., there is life whenever there are habitable environments on Earth (Martinez-Frias et al ., 2007). Measurements by past and future planetary missions can be combined into a standard library of habitability models.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitability Models for Planetary Sciences

Méndez

Rivera-Valentín

Schulze‐Makuch³

et al. 2021

Bulletin of the AAS

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Habitability has been generally defined as the capability of an environment to support life. Ecologists have been using Habitat Suitability Models (HSMs) for more than four decades to study the habitability of Earth from local to global scales. Astrobiologists have been proposing different habitability models for some time, with little integration and consistency between them and different in function to those used by ecologists. In this white paper, we suggest a mass-energy habitability model as an example of how to adapt and expand the models used by ecologists to the astrobiology field. We propose to implement these models into a NASA Habitability Standard (NHS) to standardize the habitability objectives of planetary missions. These standards will help to compare and characterize potentially habitable environments, prioritize target selections, and study correlations between habitability and biosignatures. Habitability models are the foundation of planetary habitability science. The synergy between the methods used by ecologists and astrobiologists will help to integrate and expand our understanding of the habitability of Earth, the Solar System, and exoplanets.

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“…[3][4][5] However, much is still unknown about Martian chemical-mineralogical assemblages, which is fundamental to interpreting its entire geological history, and environmental (and paleoenvironmental) settings. [5][6][7][8] NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a rover that will assess whether Mars ever was, or is still today, an environment able to support microbial life. 9 It is the first mission with an environmental station located on the rover and with a mission's duration of one Martian year, which allows for the study of Mars seasons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FTIR reflectance of selected minerals and their mixtures: implications for ground temperature-sensor monitoring on Mars surface environment (NASA/MSL-Rover Environmental Monitoring Station)

et al. 2009

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The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) is one of NASA/MSL's instruments, which has been designed for measuring ambient pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, UV radiation, and air and ground temperature (GT). The GT-sensor is dedicated to measure the real temperature of the Martian surface, integrating the IR energy coming from the ground. The existing IR spectral data of Martian dust, rocks and sediments allow for comparing the Martian spectra with the spectra of different terrestrial minerals and lithologies, and those of their alteration and weathering products. The FTIR reflectance of a set of selected astrobiologically significant minerals (including oxides, oxi/hydroxides, sulfates, chlorides, opal and clays) and basalt (as the main and most widespread volcanic Martian rock) was measured, considering different mixing amounts, and covering the specific working wavelength range of the REMS' GT-sensor. The results obtained show important percentage increases or decreases of reflectance in the entire wavelength range (e.g. basalt-hematite vs. basalt-magnetite) and specific variations limited to some spectral bands (e.g. basalt-smectite vs. basalt-jasper). The basalt reflectance percentage increases or decreases, even up to 100%, depending on the mixing of the different minerals. This unequivocally confirms the need for considering the chemical-mineralogical assemblages (and their textures) for any investigation and interpretation of Mars surface environment. Some complementary applications of this research on our planet, either in relation to the specific performances and characteristics of the GT-sensor autonomous recalibration system, or those oriented to carrying out similar studies on different types of terrestrial environmental settings, are also described.

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GeomarkersversusBiomarkers: Paleoenvironmental and Astrobiological Significance

Cited by 7 publications

References 23 publications

Habitability Models for Astrobiology

Habitability Models for Astrobiology

Habitability Models for Planetary Sciences

FTIR reflectance of selected minerals and their mixtures: implications for ground temperature-sensor monitoring on Mars surface environment (NASA/MSL-Rover Environmental Monitoring Station)

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