Gillespie Lake outcrop in Yellowknife Bay, Mars.
Curiosity
has taken photos that show certain similarities between structures molded by
microorganisms on Earth, called microbially-induced sedimentary structures
(MISS), and ancient rocks located in Mars, specifically in the Gillespie Lake
outcrop in Yellowknife Bay. Geobiologist Nora Noffke, at Old Dominion
University, has studied these MISS structures for several years focusing her
research in comparing the pictures collected by Curiosity with a series of
images taken in Western Australia, Mellum Island in Germany, Portsmouth Island
in the United States, etc.
This comparison reveals similarities
between some rock structures in Mars and the Earth. The repetition of patterns
in these formations allows would suggest that the microbial processes that
shaped this structures on Earth may have also occurred in Mars. But, Noffke
needs more physical evidence to prove her hypothesis. Further, Noffke compares
several rocks that could be related to microbial structures on Earth that have
been constantly changing with time. To illustrate her point, she explains and
points out similarities like the structure, organic or chemical signatures and
the way these could have been formed. Even though she has found evidence to
prove this hypothesis, she still needs to strengthen her thesis and
investigations with additional data.
Biology Team: Daniela Guzman,
Maria Roa, Oriana Colatosti. Jan.
27, 2016
