Journal article
Life in the Atacama: Searching for life with rovers (science overview)
Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, Vol.112(G4), pp.G04S02-n/a
12/2007
DOI: 10.1029/2006JG000298
Abstract
The Life in the Atacama project investigated the regional distribution of life and habitats in the Atacama Desert of Chile. We sought to create biogeologic maps through survey traverses across the desert using a rover carrying biologic and geologic instruments. Elements of our science approach were to: Perform ecological transects from the relatively wet coastal range to the arid core of the desert; use converging evidence from science instruments to reach conclusions about microbial abundance; and develop and test exploration strategies adapted to the search of scattered surface and shallow subsurface microbial oases. Understanding the ability of science teams to detect and characterize microbial life signatures remotely using a rover became central to the project. Traverses were accomplished using an autonomous rover in a method that is technologically relevant to Mars exploration. We present an overview of the results of the 2003, 2004, and 2005 field investigations. They include: The confirmed identification of microbial habitats in daylight by detecting fluorescence signals from chlorophyll and dye probes; the characterization of geology by imaging and spectral measurement; the mapping of life along transects; the characterization of environmental conditions; the development of mapping techniques including homogeneous biological scoring and predictive models of habitat location; the development of exploration strategies adapted to the search for life with an autonomous rover capable of up to 10 km of daily traverse; and the autonomous detection of life by the rover as it interprets observations on‐the‐fly and decides which targets to pursue with further analysis.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Life in the Atacama: Searching for life with rovers (science overview)
- Creators
- Nathalie A Cabrol - SETI InstituteDavid Wettergreen - Carnegie Mellon UniversityKim Warren‐Rhodes - SETI InstituteEdmond A Grin - SETI InstituteJeffrey Moersch - University of TennesseeGuillermo Chong Diaz - Universidad Catolica del NorteCharles S Cockell - Open UniversityPeter Coppin - Carnegie Mellon UniversityCecilia Demergasso - Universidad Catolica del NorteJames M Dohm - University of ArizonaLauren Ernst - Carnegie Mellon UniversityGregory Fisher - Carnegie Mellon UniversityJustin Glasgow - University of IowaCraig Hardgrove - University of TennesseeAndrew N Hock - University of CaliforniaDominic Jonak - Carnegie Mellon UniversityLucia Marinangeli - International Research School of Planetary SciencesEdwin Minkley - Carnegie Mellon UniversityGian Gabriele Ori - International Research School of Planetary SciencesJennifer Piatek - University of TennesseeErin Pudenz - University of IowaTrey Smith - Carnegie Mellon UniversityKristen Stubbs - Carnegie Mellon UniversityGeb Thomas - University of IowaDavid Thompson - Carnegie Mellon UniversityAlan Waggoner - Carnegie Mellon UniversityMichael Wagner - Carnegie Mellon UniversityShmuel Weinstein - Carnegie Mellon UniversityMichael Wyatt - University of Tennessee
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, Vol.112(G4), pp.G04S02-n/a
- DOI
- 10.1029/2006JG000298
- ISSN
- 0148-0227
- eISSN
- 2156-2202
- Number of pages
- 25
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2007
- Academic Unit
- Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984040369902771
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