​The next IGA lecture will be presented by Amy Dugdale (NUI Maynooth) on 'Biosignatures in Martian Clays? Mineralogy at the ExoMars Rover Landing Site'.

Abstract

Is there life on Mars? Could there have been in the past? What would signs of life look like on Mars? The key objectives of the ExoMars rover are to search for signs of life (biosignatures) and characterise the geochemical and water environment. To achieve this, Oxia Planum, a clay-rich plain, has been selected as the landing site due to its abundant mineralogical evidence of aqueous activity and its astrobiological potential. Regolith simulants, based on orbital data, can be created using terrestrial material to mimic the mineralogy on Mars. These simulants can be used to assist in the interpretation of data returned from the rover and in habitability investigations. Design of such a simulant for the ExoMars landing site will be discussed.

Lecture between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Coffee and biscuits will be available from 5:30 pm.  All welcome.