A new technique for remotely detecting life on other planets.

[walterpthefirst]

Ok, I've extrapolated a bit from the what this new technique can currently do, but if it can be successfully integrated into future planetary probes, then who knows?

 

https://www.unibe.ch/news/media_news/media_relations_e/media_releases/2021/media_releases_2021/scientists_detect_signatures_of_life_remotely/index_eng.html

 

https://www.aanda.org/component/article?access=doi&doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202140845

 

I can think of several locations where this technique could feasibly be used in our solar system.

 

Venus

 

Last year the gas phosphine was detected in the upper atmosphere of Venus.  Currently there is no known non-biological source of this gas, so scientists are scratching their heads, wondering how any airborne living organisms could survive the acidity of the Venusian clouds.  Phosphine could be a biomarker or there could be some unknown, exotic chemical reaction happening on Venus that is new to us.  So, no life, but a weird series if reactions that seem to be mimicking the appearance of life.

 

An orbiter equipped to scan for the polarized chiral signature of life would be an ideal tool to investigate this mystery.  

 

Mars

 

There's another gaseous mystery on this planet too.  The gas methane has been detected in small amounts in the Martian atmosphere, with its concentration waxing and waning over time.   We currently understand that methane can be generated not just by living organisms but also by inorganic geological sources.  So, which is it on Mars?  Finding the chiral polarization signal generated by life would settle the issue. 

 

Conversely, not finding that signal would also be a useful result.   If Mars turns out to be sterile, that's actually a plus for human colonization.  No need for stringent decontamination procedures as a part of daily life.  

 

Europa, the second Galilean moon of Jupiter

 

We know that there is a large subsurface ocean of liquid water several kilometres under the icy crust of Europa.  Our space probes have passed through huge plumes of ice crystals jetting out of cracks in this crust.  If there is life in the dark oceans of Europa, traces of it could be found in the plumes.  Scanning by a chiral polarimeter could reveal the presence of life-bearing molecules in them.

 

Enceladus, the second moon outside of Saturn's rings

 

Chemical signatures consistent with hydrothermal vents have been discovered in the plumes coming from cracks in the icy surface of Enceladus. Deep under the oceans of Earth there are hydrothermal vents surrounded by rich ecosystems teeming with microbial life, plants, crustaceans and other weird and wonderful living things.  So, could there be the same in the Saturnian system?

 

Once again, scanners calibrated to find the chiral signature of living molecules would tell us.

 

Thank you.

 

Walter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pantheory]

Yes, seems like a cool new method of detecting life. My questiion would be the concentration of the signal and how close the instrument must be. It seems that only a probe would have a chance of detection.

[walterpthefirst]

13 hours ago, pantheory said:

Yes, seems like a cool new method of detecting life. My questiion would be the concentration of the signal and how close the instrument must be. It seems that only a probe would have a chance of detection.

 

Exactly, Pantheory.

 

My understanding is that this technology is in its infancy and a lot of work needs to be done before it will be mature enough to do the things I've suggested, that is, detect the chiral signals from orbit.  

 

Perhaps the next generation of probes, launching in the late 2020's or early 2030's?

 

Thank you.

 

Walter.

[walterpthefirst]

Here you are, Pantheory.

 

https://www.unibe.ch/news/media_news/media_relations_e/media_releases/2021/media_releases_2021/scientists_detect_signatures_of_life_remotely/index_eng.html

 

The chiral polarimeter was able to detect life signs from a helicopter flying at 70 kph, from a distance of 2 kilometres.

 

Therefore, this mission would be perfect for it.

 

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasas-dragonfly-will-fly-around-titan-looking-for-origins-signs-of-life

 

Thank you.

 

Walter.