Biology
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p43d1461r&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P43D-1461
Biology
[5200] Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology, [5215] Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology / Origin Of Life, [5220] Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology / Hydrothermal Systems And Weathering On Other Planets, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit discovered soil and outcrops rich in opaline (amorphous) silica adjacent to a layered, roughly circular (~80 m diameter) accumulation of volcanic sediments known as Home Plate [1]. A suite of observations described by Squyres et al. [1, 2] led to the conclusion that these and other altered materials were produced by hydrothermal fluids related to volcanic processes in the vicinity. The original discovery of opaline silica was limited to materials on the east side of Home Plate. Spirit now has encountered additional meter-scale outcrops on the north side that demonstrate a greater extent of hydrothermal activity than first recognized. Additional candidate silica outcrops even larger in scale are evident along Spirit’s planned traverse path to the south of Home Plate. These will be investigated following the extraction of Spirit from its current embedding in loose soil and may demonstrate a nearly circumferential distribution of silica-rich outcrops surrounding the Home Plate structure. Within the context of solar system exploration, the definitive identification of a hydrothermal system like that encountered by Spirit is significant. Such geologic settings have long been considered ideal targets for Mars exploration with regard to astrobiology. In the case of the Home Plate system, the conditions that led to the precipitation of silica could have produced both a habitable environment for microbial life and the means for preserving its evidence. Given that one of the goals identified by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) is to determine if life ever arose on Mars, the discoveries at Home Plate strengthen the case for retaining this goal among the top priorities and continuing the search for evidence. Based on the ever-increasing number of observations indicating aqueous alteration of Martian rocks and regolith, the next generation of Mars exploration missions should continue to evaluate the potential for past or present life. As noted in reports from MEPAG and the National Academy of Science, the return of Martian samples from known locations could significantly expand our understanding of Mars. Among the many potential scientific benefits of sample return is the dramatically enhanced capability to search for evidence of life or its precursor chemistry. This will require return of samples from the most promising sites for such a search. Although the conditions that produced opaline silica at Home Plate are not yet fully resolved, the observations are sufficient to warrant consideration of this site for the return of samples intended to address the question of life on Mars. [1] Squyres, S.W., et al., (2008) Science, 320 1063-1067. [2] Squyres, S.W., et al., (2007) Science, 316 738-742.
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