Canadian Association of Physicists Lecture Series
Speaker: Dr. Kristin Poduska, Memorial University
Title: How Physics Helps to Simulate a Search for Life on Mars
Abstract: Mars-based life could exist in the form of microbes that get their energy from interactions between water and certain kinds of subsurface rock. However, detecting the telltale signatures of such microbes while they are still on Mars is an epic challenge. This talk will describe physics that helps make remote detection of such microbial activity more feasible. The key is detecting and differentiating reflected light, using a combination of infrared and visible wavelengths. We use data from satellites, as well as from drones equipped with specialized cameras, to tackle this complex puzzle that has many technical constraints. You'll see how our interdisciplinary team, from academia and industry, puts all of this together to simulate a microbe-detection mission on Mars-like terrain that exists right here in Canada.