Will the Micro-imager on board the “Spirit” rover be able to image any possible fossil remnants that may be present in the Gusev dry lake bed?
R. Mark Elowitz, Albuquerque, New Mexico Answer: This depends on the size of the fossils. If fossils the size of sea shells are present, then the imager would be able to see them; however, if only microorganisms are present, then these would be too small. The imager was not designed to detect life or fossils, but to characterize the texture and grains of the rocks. Expert: Janice Bishop SETI Institute P.I.
Related Questions
- If there are fossil remnants of primitive aquatic lifeforms present in what is supposed to be a dry lakebed (Gusev landing site), would the Micro-imager (MI) be able to image such fossils?
- Will the Micro-imager on board the "Spirit" rover be able to image any possible fossil remnants that may be present in the Gusev dry lake bed?
- How long did it take to build a rover like Spirit to be able to operate perfectly?
