Identification of morphological biosignatures in Martian analogue field specimens using in situ planetary instrumentation.
Identification of morphological biosignatures in Martian analogue field specimens using in situ planetary instrumentation.
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使用原位行星仪器识别火星模拟野外样本的形态生物特征。
DOI：
10.1089/ast.2006.0037
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发表时间：
2008
期刊：
影响因子：
4.2
通讯作者：
G. Klingelhöfer
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
D. Pullan;F. Westall;B. Hofmann;J. Parnell;C. Cockell;H. Edwards;S. Villar;C. Schröder;G. Cressey;L. Marinangeli;L. Richter;G. Klingelhöfer
我们已经研究了形态生物特征（即与生命相关的特征）如何在火星上的机器人行星表面操作框架内用一系列可行的仪器来识别。这是第一次进行这样一项基于实验室的综合研究，该研究结合了用于现场成像、分析和岩土技术（采样）的空间合格仪器。根据特征形态、尺度和与火星岩石的相似性选择标本。考虑了两种形态标准：灭绝生命的潜在特征（微生物丝状化石）和现存生命的潜在特征（隐缝石器微生物）。这些材料来自地球上各种各样的局部火星模拟地点，包括撞击坑、高纬度沙漠和热液矿床。我们的原位有效载荷包括立体摄像机、显微镜、Mössbauer光谱仪和采样设备（所有空间合格的单元都来自Beagle 2），以及一系列商业仪器，包括多光谱成像仪、x射线光谱仪（校准到Beagle 2仪器）、微拉曼光谱仪和定制（定制设计）x射线衍射仪。所有的实验都是在现场作业的工程限制下进行的，以产生真实的数据，并解决测量的实际挑战。我们的结果证明了对这类工作采用综合方法的重要性。每种技术都对样品生物源评估的“伪有效载荷”的总体有效性做出了相应的贡献，但也突出了当前空间仪器技术在原位天体生物学方面的一些局限性。
We have investigated how morphological biosignatures (i.e., features related to life) might be identified with an array of viable instruments within the framework of robotic planetary surface operations at Mars. This is the first time such an integrated lab-based study has been conducted that incorporates space-qualified instrumentation designed for combined in situ imaging, analysis, and geotechnics (sampling). Specimens were selected on the basis of feature morphology, scale, and analogy to Mars rocks. Two types of morphological criteria were considered: potential signatures of extinct life (fossilized microbial filaments) and of extant life (crypto-chasmoendolithic microorganisms). The materials originated from a variety of topical martian analogue localities on Earth, including impact craters, high-latitude deserts, and hydrothermal deposits. Our in situ payload included a stereo camera, microscope, Mössbauer spectrometer, and sampling device (all space-qualified units from Beagle 2), and an array of commercial instruments, including a multi-spectral imager, an X-ray spectrometer (calibrated to the Beagle 2 instrument), a micro-Raman spectrometer, and a bespoke (custom-designed) X-ray diffractometer. All experiments were conducted within the engineering constraints of in situ operations to generate realistic data and address the practical challenges of measurement. Our results demonstrate the importance of an integrated approach for this type of work. Each technique made a proportionate contribution to the overall effectiveness of our "pseudopayload" for biogenic assessment of samples yet highlighted a number of limitations of current space instrument technology for in situ astrobiology.