Magnetism, iron minerals, and life on Mars

P. Rochette; J. Gattacceca; V. Chevrier; P. E. Mathé; M. Menvielle; P. Brauer; P. Dussoulliez; C. Fabron; L. Hood; P. A. Jensen; B. Langlais; S. L. Larsen; M. B. Madsen; J. Merayo; G. Mussmann; H. Newsom; E. Petrovsky; F. Primdahl; G. Sarraco; F. Vadeboin; S. Vennerstrom

doi:10.1089/ast.2006.6.423

Magnetism, iron minerals, and life on Mars

P. Rochette, J. Gattacceca, V. Chevrier, P. E. Mathé, M. Menvielle, P. Brauer, P. Dussoulliez, C. Fabron, L. Hood, P. A. Jensen, B. Langlais, S. L. Larsen, M. B. Madsen, J. Merayo, G. Mussmann, H. Newsom, E. Petrovsky, F. Primdahl, G. Sarraco, F. VadeboinS. Vennerstrom

Lunar and Planetary Lab

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

A short critical review is provided on two questions linking magnetism and possible early life on Mars: (1) Did Mars have an Earth-like internal magnetic field, and, if so, during which period and was it a requisite for life? (2) Is there a connection between iron minerals in the martian regolith and life? We also discuss the possible astrobiological implications of magnetic measurements at the surface of Mars using two proposed instruments. A magnetic remanence device based on magnetic field measurements can be used to identify Noachian age rocks and lightning impacts. A contact magnetic susceptibility probe can be used to investigate weathering rinds on martian rocks and identify meteorites among the small regolith rocks. Both materials are considered possible specific niches for microorganisms and, thus, potential astrobiological targets. Experimental results on analogues are presented to support the suitability of such in situ measurements.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	423-436
Number of pages	14
Journal	Astrobiology
Volume	6
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2006.6.423
State	Published - Jun 2006

Keywords

Early life
Iron minerals
Magnetism
Mars

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1089/ast.2006.6.423

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Rochette, P., Gattacceca, J., Chevrier, V., Mathé, P. E., Menvielle, M., Brauer, P., Dussoulliez, P., Fabron, C., Hood, L., Jensen, P. A., Langlais, B., Larsen, S. L., Madsen, M. B., Merayo, J., Mussmann, G., Newsom, H., Petrovsky, E., Primdahl, F., Sarraco, G., ... Vennerstrom, S. (2006). Magnetism, iron minerals, and life on Mars. Astrobiology, 6(3), 423-436. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2006.6.423

Rochette, P, Gattacceca, J, Chevrier, V, Mathé, PE, Menvielle, M, Brauer, P, Dussoulliez, P, Fabron, C, Hood, L, Jensen, PA, Langlais, B, Larsen, SL, Madsen, MB, Merayo, J, Mussmann, G, Newsom, H, Petrovsky, E, Primdahl, F, Sarraco, G, Vadeboin, F & Vennerstrom, S 2006, 'Magnetism, iron minerals, and life on Mars', Astrobiology, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 423-436. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2006.6.423

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abstract = "A short critical review is provided on two questions linking magnetism and possible early life on Mars: (1) Did Mars have an Earth-like internal magnetic field, and, if so, during which period and was it a requisite for life? (2) Is there a connection between iron minerals in the martian regolith and life? We also discuss the possible astrobiological implications of magnetic measurements at the surface of Mars using two proposed instruments. A magnetic remanence device based on magnetic field measurements can be used to identify Noachian age rocks and lightning impacts. A contact magnetic susceptibility probe can be used to investigate weathering rinds on martian rocks and identify meteorites among the small regolith rocks. Both materials are considered possible specific niches for microorganisms and, thus, potential astrobiological targets. Experimental results on analogues are presented to support the suitability of such in situ measurements.",

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AU - Brauer, P.

AU - Dussoulliez, P.

AU - Fabron, C.

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AU - Jensen, P. A.

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AU - Larsen, S. L.

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AU - Merayo, J.

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AU - Sarraco, G.

AU - Vadeboin, F.

AU - Vennerstrom, S.

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Magnetism, iron minerals, and life on Mars

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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