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2000 Annual Science Report

Astrobiology Roadmap Objective 16.0 Reports Reporting  |  JUL 1999 – JUN 2000

Roadmap Objective 16.0—Understand the human-directed processes by which life can migrate from one world to another.

Project Reports

  • Biosignatures in Extraterrestrial Samples

    This project concentrates on studying the martian meteorites in our systematic search for biosignatures in extraterrestrial samples. The research by JSC and Co-Investigator scientists currently includes four major biological / organic investigations, analysis of magnetite crystals, analysis of features morphologically similar to fossilized terrestrial organisms, detection of trace-level organic compounds, and assessment of terrestrial microbial contamination.

    In addition, we are conducting ongoing studies of chemical weathering on Mars and on Earth, and analyzing experimental shock effects to document the possibility of biomarker preservation in meteoritic materials. Finally, we have proposed to broaden the Astrobiology investigation of these unique extraterrestrial samples through a new Inter-Institute Focus Group on Martian Meteorites.

    ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 8.0 16.0
  • Molecular Analysis of Microbial Ecosystems in Extreme Environments
    ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 14.0 16.0 17.0