Biologists explored the Red Rock Delta in the Atacama Desert in Chile using instruments used on
The Red Rock Delta is a geologicalsediments of the ancient river, formed from 163 to 100 million years ago. Located in arid conditions in the Atacama Desert, the formation is rich in hematite and mudstone containing clays such as vermiculite and smectite. Geologically, this region is very similar to parts of Mars, which is why astrobiologists often use it as a model for the red planet.
The researchers analyzed samples collected fromthis region, with the best tools available on Earth. The study showed that almost 9% of the genetic sequences of organic remains fell into the "unclassified" category, while 40% of the remaining sequences could only be determined at the level of the highest taxa without detailing.
Analysis of similar samples usinginstruments used on rovers could not even do this: in most cases, these instruments either did not find traces of the microbiome at all, or identified only a small number of such traces.
Researchers note that moderntechnology lacks the precision to measure, especially when it comes to history that took place hundreds of millions or billions of years ago. This means that rovers can navigate through microscopic life forms or their footprints and not notice anything.
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On the cover: a selfie of the Perservance rover. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS