Forms resembling sponges or corals at Gale Crater, Mars: Evidence of fossilised life or mineralogy?

database, nuove specie, discrediti,
ridefinizioni, classificazioni, ecc.
Rispondi
Avatar utente
Marco E. Ciriotti
Messaggi: 31675
Iscritto il: ven 25 giu, 2004 11:31
Località: via San Pietro, 55 I-10073 Devesi/Cirié TO - Italy
Contatta:

Forms resembling sponges or corals at Gale Crater, Mars: Evidence of fossilised life or mineralogy?

Messaggio da Marco E. Ciriotti » mar 07 feb, 2023 10:06

Referenza:
▪ Armstrong, R.A. (2022): Forms Resembling Sponges or Corals at Gale Crater, Mars: Evidence of Fossilised Life or Mineralogy? Journal of Astrobiology, 13, 4-12.

Abstract:
Forms resembling sponges or coral were photographed in Gale crater, Mars by the Curiosity rover ‘Mars Hand Lens Imager’ (MAHLI) on sol 3396 that may represent the result of either mineralization or be evidence of fossilisation. At least seven individual structures were observed showing various degrees of fragmentation, but the most complete specimen was approximately 1.3 cm across and consisted of apparently branched 'tubes' attached to the substratum at a single point. At higher magnification, a reticulate surface texture and possible pores were apparent; findings consistent with a biological origin. Although a mineral accretion or concretion cannot be ruled out, it is more probable that the structures represent the fossilised remains of a type of sponge or coral, the former being the more likely. In the early life of Gale crater, these putative sponges may have lived at the bottom of a shallow, saline lake, subsequently becoming preserved in deposits of sand or silt, and then were gradually exposed over long periods of time.
Marco E. Ciriotti

«Things are interesting only in so far as they relate themselves to other things»

Rispondi

Chi c’è in linea

Visitano il forum: Bing [Bot], Google [Bot] e 55 ospiti