Irradiating Microorganisms and Organics in Ice - Search for Life on Icy-Ocean Worlds

Join a scientific seminar where JPL scientist Edith Fayolle explores the survival potential of microorganisms and organic compounds in icy environments, specifically focusing on ocean worlds like Enceladus and Europa. Discover how laboratory experiments simulate harsh surface conditions of icy moons to evaluate bacterial spore viability and learn about modeling efforts that estimate organic preservation on Enceladus's surface. Gain insights into the challenges of detecting potential life forms on these celestial bodies, considering the effects of solar radiation and energetic charged particles on surface materials. Understand how this research contributes to future landed missions searching for life signatures on ice-covered ocean worlds in our Solar System.