Andrew Steele (astrobiologist)

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Andrew Steele is an astrobiologist at the Geophysical Laboratory at Carnegie Institution for Science. He uses traditional and biotechnological approaches for the detection of microbial life in the field of astrobiology and Solar System exploration. [1] His research has led to discoveries of new forms of carbon in meteorites, new mechanisms of organic synthesis on Earth and Mars, and the presence of water in lunar and Martian rocks. [2] Steele has developed several instrument and mission concepts for future Mars missions and was involved in NASA’s 2011 Mars Science Laboratory mission, as a member of the Sample Analysis at Mars team. He also tested instruments on board the Arctic Mars Analogue Svalbard Expedition in the Arctic. [1] [2]

Contents

Education and career

Steele attended the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom where he received a B.S. in microbiology and biochemistry in 1992.  In 1996, he earned a PhD in biotechnology from the University of Portsmouth. [3] [2] [1]  From 1999 to 2001, Steele worked as an assistant professor at the University of Montana, and as a researcher at the University of Oxford.  From 1999 to 2003, he was a lecturer at the University of Portsmouth. After 2003, Steele was a postdoctoral fellow at NASA Johnson Space Center. He now currently works for the Carnegie Institution of Science and is an active member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. [3]

Research

Steele’s research focuses on the detection of microbial life on Mars.  He creates instrument and mission concepts for Mars missions. [1]  Steele uses a technique called “high-resolution confocal Raman imaging,” [2] [4] which is used to analyze samples collected during missions.  He and his team used this technique to analyze samples from Mars in 2012 and identified hydrocarbons, which are important for organic chemistry reactions and play key roles in the creation of life. [5] [6] [7] By studying these hydrocarbons, Steele was able to prove that the hydrocarbons did not come from biological origins, but rather from volcanic activity on Mars. [6] [7] [8] Steele is currently investigating a new Martian meteorite, which contains more water than any other Martian meteorite found before, as well as hydrocarbons. Similar to his 2012 discovery, Steele was able to determine that the hydrocarbons did not result from contamination, but from a non-biological process, helping to answer important questions about the origin of life. [9] [5]  Collectively, his investigations have helped inform discussion about the potential habitability of Mars. [10] [3]

Awards

In 2012, the Royal Society of London awarded Steele the Wolfson Professorial Award. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrobiology</span> Science concerned with life in the universe

Astrobiology is a scientific field within the life and environmental sciences that studies the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe by investigating its deterministic conditions and contingent events. As a discipline, astrobiology is founded on the premise that life may exist beyond Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Hills 84001</span> Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica in 1984

Allan Hills 84001 (ALH84001) is a fragment of a Martian meteorite that was found in the Allan Hills in Antarctica on December 27, 1984, by a team of American meteorite hunters from the ANSMET project. Like other members of the shergottite–nakhlite–chassignite (SNC) group of meteorites, ALH84001 is thought to have originated on Mars. However, it does not fit into any of the previously discovered SNC groups. Its mass upon discovery was 1.93 kilograms (4.3 lb).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mars rover</span> Robotic vehicle for Mars surface exploration

A Mars rover is a motor vehicle designed to travel on the surface of Mars. Rovers have several advantages over stationary landers: they examine more territory, they can be directed to interesting features, they can place themselves in sunny positions to weather winter months, and they can advance the knowledge of how to perform very remote robotic vehicle control. They serve a different purpose than orbital spacecraft like Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. A more recent development is the Mars helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life on Mars</span> Scientific assessments on the microbial habitability of Mars

The possibility of life on Mars is a subject of interest in astrobiology due to the planet's proximity and similarities to Earth. To date, no proof of past or present life has been found on Mars. Cumulative evidence suggests that during the ancient Noachian time period, the surface environment of Mars had liquid water and may have been habitable for microorganisms, but habitable conditions do not necessarily indicate life.

A biosignature is any substance – such as an element, isotope, or molecule – or phenomenon that provides scientific evidence of past or present life. Measurable attributes of life include its complex physical or chemical structures and its use of free energy and the production of biomass and wastes. A biosignature can provide evidence for living organisms outside the Earth and can be directly or indirectly detected by searching for their unique byproducts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viking lander biological experiments</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extraterrestrial materials</span> Natural objects that originated in outer space

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EXPOSE</span> External facility on the ISS dedicated to astrobiology experiments

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sample Analysis at Mars</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory</span> Event timeline of the NASA Mars Science Laboratory mission

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icebreaker Life</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamato 000593</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Eigenbrode</span> American astrobiologist

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Andrew Steele | Geophysical Laboratory". legacy.gl.ciw.edu. Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Steele". Geophysical Laboratory. 2016-07-06. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Science, Carnegie (2014-11-12). "Andrew Steele". Carnegie Institution for Science. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  4. ↑ Andrew SteeleCarnegie Institution for Science · Department of Geophysical Laboratory 44. 64 · PhD. "Andrew Steele | PhD | Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington | Department of Geophysical Laboratory". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  5. 1 2 Mardell, Mark (2012-05-25). "Mars 'has life's building blocks'" . Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  6. 1 2 Schulze-Makuch, Dirk. "Where Did the Organic Matter on Mars Come From?". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  7. 1 2 "NASA finds ancient organic material, mysterious methane on Mars". ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  8. ↑ "Mars' Organic Carbon 'Batteries' Point to Biology --"Major Implications for Habitability"". The Daily Galaxy. 2018-11-01. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  9. ↑ Jeung, Tiffany. "How Natural Martian Batteries Create the Building Blocks of Life". Inverse. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  10. ↑ "| NASA Astrobiology Institute". nai.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
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