Goal seven is to determine how to recognize signatures of
life on other worlds and on early Earth. We will strive to identify the
biosignatures that can reveal and characterize past or present life in past
samples from earth. Also from extraterrestrial samples measured in SITU,
samples returned to earth, and other cosmic phenomena. If we use our concepts
of life and biosignatures for exploration they both must be defined in terms
that can be measured and calculated. We also must create a library of
biosignatures and their nonbiological copy of life as we know it.
Astrobiological exploration is found upon the basis of life (biosignatures)
encountered in space will be recognizable. A biosignature is an object,
substance, and/or pattern who origin requires a biological agent. Potential
biosignature is a feature that is the same with in the biological processes ant
that, when it is found, challenges the researcher to group it either to
inanimate or to biological processes. On earth biosignatures include key
minerals, atmospheric gases and crustal reservoirs of carbon, sulfur, and other
elements that have recorded the global impact of the use of free energy and the
production of biomass and wastes. Biosignatures can be found in solar system materials
as well as nearby planetary systems.
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