Life in the Atacama Life in the Atacama 2004 Science & Technology Workshop July 14-16, 2004 Carnegie Mellon University

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop1Carnegie Mellon Limits of Life in the Atacama Robotic Investigation of Life in the Atacama Desert of Chile Science Investigation Seek life unambiguously Understand habitat Make relevant measurements Technology Research Over-the-horizon navigation Efficient resource utilization Autonomy with self-awareness

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop2Carnegie Mellon Detection of Sparse Microbes in Extreme Environments Practical technology to enable the survey of large areas to yield evidence of life Explore the limits of microbe detection Create fluorescent biomarkers for multispectral detection of trace life Develop biomarker correlation techniques for accuracy Construct a fluorescence imaging instrument for detecting sparse life in desert environments Microscopic Fluorescence Intensity

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop3Carnegie Mellon Science on the Fly Science autonomy during rover traverse Research: Feature detection and segmentation (similar, dissimilar, and unique) Feature classification and evaluation (significance) Science-informed exploration Focus on developing techniques and validating in ground-truthed rover experiments Nominal Traverse Science on the Fly

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop4Carnegie Mellon Atacama Desert Atacama Desert in northern Chile lies between the Pacific and the Andes Driest desert on Earth No measurable rain or snow in some regions but Fog from the Pacific Runoff from the Andes Analogous to Mars Arid, High UV, Soil Oxidants

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop5Carnegie Mellon Interior Desert Desert rises from Coastal Range (700m) to the Altiplano (4000m) Moisture blocked by Pacific atmospheric pressure and the Andes Most lifeless on Earth? Absolute desert evidenced by the absence of biogenic organic molecules? Hubble N

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop6Carnegie Mellon Coastal Range Parallels the Pacific coast Camanchacas (salt fogs) occasionally penetrate inland through mountain range Desiccation-tolerant organisms detected in microhabitats km

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop7Carnegie Mellon Scientific Investigation Biodiversity and distribution of habitats in Atacama subregions are not yet understood Where does life survive and where does it not? What factors govern the distribution? Coastal RangeInterior Desert

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop8Carnegie Mellon Workshop Objectives Review the current state of our research Examine preparations for the field season Understand current capabilities Finalize intentions for the field investigation Identify any outstanding issues

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop9Carnegie Mellon Workshop Philosophy Find problems now rather than later Expect discussion (and some confusion) Identify actions and priorities

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop10Carnegie Mellon Schedule