MERMOZ

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MERMOZ (also, MERMOZ project and Monitoring planEtary suRfaces with Modern pOlarimetric characteriZation) is a Swiss and Dutch astrobiology project designed to remotely detect biosignatures of life. [1] [2] Detection is based on molecular homochirality, a characteristic property of the biochemicals of life. [3] [4] The project aims to remotely identify and characterize life on the planet Earth from space, and to extend this technology to other Solar System bodies and exoplanets. The project began in 2018, and is a collaboration of the University of Bern, University of Leiden, and Delft University of Technology. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

According to a member of the MERMOZ team, “When light is reflected by biological matter, a part of the light’s electromagnetic waves will travel in either clockwise or counterclockwise spirals ... This phenomenon is called circular polarization and is caused by the biological matter’s homochirality.” These unique spirals of light indicate living materials; whereas, non-living materials do not reflect such unique spirals of light, according to the researchers. [2]

The MERMOZ team conducted feasibility studies FlyPol+, a detection instrument based on circular spectropolarimetry that flies in a helicopter at an altitude of 2 km (1.2 mi) and velocity of 70 km/h (43 mph) for 25 minutes. [5] The results were successful in remotely detecting living material and distinguishing living material from non-living material. [6] The projects next phase is to scan the Earth from the International Space Station, followed by possible pathfinder space mission in 2024. [3] [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Kühn, J.; et al. (13 December 2020). "Monitoring the Earth's diverse environments with full-Stokes spectro-polarimetry: The MERMOZ project". In Evans, Christopher J; Bryant, Julia J; Motohara, Kentaro (eds.). Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VIII. SPIE . 114479L. doi:10.1117/12.2576310. ISBN   9781510636811. S2CID   230540533 . Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Hanks, Micah (22 June 2021). "Scientists Detect Signs Of Life At A Distance Using Remote Sensing". TheDebrief.org. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 University of Bern (20 June 2021). "Scientists Use New Technology to Detect Signatures of Life Remotely". SciTechDaily.com. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 Cowing, Keith (20 June 2021). "Scientists Detect Signatures Of Life Remotely". Astrobiology.com. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  5. 1 2 Kühn, Jonas; Patty, Lucas (2020). "Project 4.1: Characterisation of bio-markers using spectro-polarimetry". National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS . Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Patty, C.H. Luca; et al. (1 June 2021). "Biosignatures of the Earth". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 651: A68. arXiv: 2106.00493 . Bibcode:2021A&A...651A..68P. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202140845. S2CID   235265876.
  7. ↑ "SAINT-EX ― Search and characterisation of exoplanets - MERMOZ description". Saintex.Unibe.ch. 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.


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