Astrobiological characteristics and possibility of life in the polar dark dune spots of Mars

A. Kereszturi; Sz. Bérczi; A. Horváth; T. Pócs; A. Sik; E. Szathmáry

doi:10.1117/12.862839

7 September 2010 Astrobiological characteristics and possibility of life in the polar dark dune spots of Mars

A. Kereszturi, Sz. Bérczi, A. Horváth, T. Pócs, A. Sik, E. Szathmáry

Proceedings Volume 7819, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII; 78190K (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.862839
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The circumpolar region of Mars was surveyed for possible habitats in the area of seasonal ice cap. Dark Dune Spots were found to be good candidates as they are covered by water ice there without carbon-dioxide ice, and show flow-like features in springtime. Based on theoretical calculations interfacial water or bulk brine may be present there that decomposes the aggressive oxidants. Temperature values in springtime around noon could be favorable for metabolism of known extremophyles on Earth, and water uptake may be possible at nighttime. During the warm daytime period the water loss could be lowered by densely packed grain structure of the soil, hygroscopic salts, and polysaccharide-like materials, as it was observed in the samples of cryptobiotic crust from hot and cold deserts on Earth. This work outlines the basic elements of these possible circumpolar microhabitats.

Citation Download Citation

A. Kereszturi, Sz. Bérczi, A. Horváth, T. Pócs, A. Sik, and E. Szathmáry "Astrobiological characteristics and possibility of life in the polar dark dune spots of Mars", Proc. SPIE 7819, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII, 78190K (7 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.862839

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available