Research Projects

Building Expertise and Collaborative Infrastructure for Successful Astrobiology Research, Technology and Education in Nevada

PI: Christian H. Fritsen

Project Period: September 2001 - August 2004

Funded by: Nevada NASA-EPSCoR

Right: Antarctic ice core recovery efforts, Sept. 2002.

Keywords: astrobiology, research infrastructure, cold brines, microbial ecology, anaerobic microbial reactor, geochemical model

Project Description

The origin, evolution, distribution, and adaptation of life to the range of conditions on Earth, and the possibility of life beyond our planet are of renewed interest to societies throughout the world. Controversial evidence of potential life signatures within a Martian meteorite, the apparent evidence of recent near-surface water on Mars, and the mounting evidence for an ice-covered ocean on Europa have generated even more insights for targeted planet exploration and sample-return missions within our solar system. Our research group seeks to build expertise within the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) to foster substantive contributions to present and future astrobiological research of interest to NASA.

The following six topics comprise the core projects currently being undertaken and the primary contacts for these activities:

1. Microbial Ecology and Physiology in Cold Brines (C. Fritsen, DRI)
2. Anaerobic Digestion at Low Temperatures (D. Adams, UNR)
3. Habitable Micro/Macrozones on Frozen Planets (G. Marion, DRI)
4. Remote Detection of Habitable Zones and Biosignatures (W. Calvin, UNR)
5. Development of an Ultraviolet Radiometer for Future Missions to Mars (R. Collier, WNCC)
6. Outreach and Education (R. Collier and C. Fritsen)

For more information on Astrobiology research in Nevada, click on the PDF icon below to download a 14" x 8.5" color poster (438 KB):

Building Expertise and Infrastructure for Astrobiology Research in Nevada
Christian H. Fritsen, Giles M. Marion, Wendy M. Calvin, Sherwin Gormley, Dean Adams and Robert Collier

or please visit:

• http://www.unr.edu/spacegrant/epscor/epscor.html
• http://www.unr.edu/spacegrant/epscor/epscorresearch.html

Atrobiology Research: Image Gallery

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