Where are we most likely to find signs of alien life in the Solar System?
NASA astrobiologist Dr. Jennifer Eigenbrode answers this taxing question for us
ESA’s upcoming 2018 ExoMars rover might be capable of discerning if life could survive under the surface of Mars
“Astrobiologists regard Mars, Titan, Europa and Enceladus as possible habitable places in our Solar System. However, I think the best place for us to search for signs of alien life is in the rocks of Mars that are protected from the ionizing radiation currently bombarding the surface.
“Finding signatures of ancient extraterrestrial microbial life and establishing confidence in that finding will largely depend on the quality of the preserved record. Radiation can seriously alter ancient biosignature records, especially organics, but to what extent and how remains elusive. The reality is that any chemical and physical alteration can complicate and lower our confidence in interpreting signs of ancient life. The same is true for interpreting ancient terrestrial biosignatures.
“On Earth, life is ubiquitous—we find life in nearly every extreme environment. This tells us that microbes are incredibly adaptive. However, microbes don’t always flourish in extreme environments. We find more and diverse life where nutrients, food, and energy sources are plentiful. On Mars, I think it is fair to assume that if life ever existed there, it would be very adaptive too.
“Over the eons, life may have learned to cope or even utilize ionizing radiation by moving to shielded environments, such as the subsurface) and evolving biochemistry to repair damage to cells. In any case, the ionizing radiation makes the top meter or so of surface rocks an extreme environment. If microbes adapted to living in these subsurface rocks, then they might flourish if there was a way for nutrients to circulate in the rocks.
“Perhaps the ExoMars mission will discover clues to the modern habitability of this more protected subsurface environment and if life is there.”
Answered by Dr. Jennifer Eigenbrode, one of NASA’s leading biochemists and geologists who specialises in organic biochemistry and astrobiology
Image credit: ESA