Utah's Fireside Chats

The Search for Life on Mars & How it Begins on Earth

May 13, 2021 Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy Season 2 Episode 2
Utah's Fireside Chats
The Search for Life on Mars & How it Begins on Earth
Show Notes

Dr. Baxter explains how by studying Earth’s extreme environments, scientists around the world have learned much about the limits of life (as we know it) on Earth. How are these lessons applied to the search for life on Mars? Dr. Baxter studies the extremophiles that live in Great Salt Lake and employs them as models for potential life off our planet. She discusses the salt deposits on Mars currently being explored by NASA’s Perseverance Rover, and why Jezero Crater is reminiscent of salt lakes on Earth. Also, how will this connect to other Mars missions this year from UAE and China, and how will the European Space Agency help Perseverance send samples home?