Presented by: Dr. Kevin P. Hand
Affiliation: JPL
Location: 3853 Slichter Hall
Abstract:
In this talk I will share our recently published results on the detection of potential biosignatures within the Neretva Vallis ancient riverbed on Mars, and then extend outward to our efforts to characterize and explore worlds of the outer solar system that harbor contemporary liquid water oceans beneath lithospheres of ice. At least six ice-covered moons of the outer solar system present compelling evidence for subsurface oceans, and thus provide highly compelling targets in our search for life beyond Earth. I will focus on Jupiter’s moon Europa, and detail experiments conducted in my lab that help us better understand Europa’s ocean chemistry and surface morphology. If time permits, I will also provide an overview of missions that will explore these worlds in the coming decades, and describe how exploration of Earth’s ocean and cryosphere is helping to guide our understanding of the potential habitability of these alien oceans.