The analyzer is built to detect traces of organic matter, like microfossils, from very small surface samples, researchers said.
A newly developed laser instrument will help NASA scour distant planets and moons for signs of alien life, researchers say.
The analyzer, which is 100 times more powerful than comparable technologies deployed on space missions, is built to detect traces of organic matter, like microfossils, from very small surface samples, researchers said. It is also relatively unobtrusive, thereby reducing the risk of sample contamination.
, will allow NASA to examine larger molecules that are more likely the byproducts of living systems, researchers said. So, rather than study small materials, like amino acids, which are not necessarily indicative of life, the device will facilitate the study of more complex compounds like proteins.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Miss Manners: These two moms tried to shame me for cutting in the supermarket lineShe left her cart in front of me, so I stepped around it.
Read more »
NASA needs your help finding alien worldsSamantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter Sam_Ashley13.
Read more »
US, Japan Sign Space Collaboration Agreement at NASA HQ – “The Future of Space Is Collaborative”During an event hosted by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington on Friday, January 13, representatives from the United States and Japan gathered to sign an agreement that builds on a long history of collaboration in space explor
Read more »
This Week @NASA: Space Exploration Collaboration, Webb Reveals Galaxies From Dawn of the UniverseContinuing a collaboration in space exploration … Space station research heads back to Earth … And highlighting new science from NASA missions … A few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! https://youtu.be/kvskiBVlRiE US, Japan Sign Space Agreement at NASA Headquarters
Read more »
NASA is asking for your help to study exoplanets | Digital TrendsNASA is asking for the public's help in learning more about exoplanets in a citizenscience program called Exoplanet Watch.
Read more »
Amazing space images by NASA’s oldest active astronaut | Digital TrendsNASA astronaut DonPettit hasn't been to space for a decade, but he continues to share some of the amazing images that he captured during his missions.
Read more »