Imperial OrgGeo lab

Bosak et al. report how the Perseverance Mars rover has collected rocks from the base of the fan in Jezero crater that probably pre-date signs of life on Earth. They may have implications for astrobiology when analysed back on Earth. 
doi.org/10.1029/2024AV…

Biochar is important to mitigate climate change by carbon removal. Once produced, biochar must be resistant to degradation. A new paper demonstrates that combining FTIR data with modeling is a promising method for assessing biochar stability. pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.10…

It was an honor to co-chair the Mars Sample Return Temperature and Time Tiger Team. We examined the effects of heating on samples returning from Mars. Our work is published in a mighty 45-page paper in Astrobiology. Thanks to our excellent team. doi.org/10.1089/ast.20…

The Europa Clipper mission will carry a mass spectrometer called MASPEX. It will investigate Europa’s plumes to reveal the potential for life in the subsurface ocean of Jupiter's icy moon. Read the latest from Waite et al. at the following link: link.springer.com/article/10.100…

In a new paper, Zorzano et al. that report measurements on present day environments conditions on Mars made by the Perseverance Rover in Jezero Crater. #astrobiology #space #science #research #Mars nature.com/articles/s4159…

In a new Mars2020 paper, Weiss et al. describe how natural and laser-induced markings on rover drill cores are used to retain Mars geographic orientation. This stage of Mars Sample Return is now even more like Earth-based field work. doi.org/10.1029/2023EA…

In a new paper, Siljeström, Czaja et al. describe how sulfate minerals provide a record of fluid alteration of the floor rocks of Jezero crater, Mars doi.org/10.1029/2023JE…

Well done Michael Sims on a new paper that examines evidence of anoxic conditions during deposition of Carboniferous sediments in the UK. lyellcollection.org/doi/10.1144/SP…

Atmospheric particles can affect human health. Kalaiarasan et al. have studied environments in London to understand their pollution characteristics. mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/1…

Icy moons of the outer solar system are thought to contain subsurface oceans and possible conditions for life. Vance et al. look into the habitability of Jupiter's icy moon Europa and expected future investigations by the Europa Clipper mission. link.springer.com/article/10.100…

The soils on Mars can have a surface crust that reflects past and present environmental conditions on Mars. The latest Mars2020 paper reports data from the Perseverance rover that indicates the presence and characteristics of soil crusts in Jezero crater. doi.org/10.1029/2022JE…

JOB ALERT! Would you like to carry out research in statistics and planetary protection for space missions? If so apply for the job below. You would be located at Imperial College London working closely with Coventry University and the Open University. imperial.ac.uk/jobs/descripti…

Another chance to see the Imperial College Organic Geochemistry labs on The Sky at Night in a few hours time.

We hope you enjoyed last nights episode - if you missed us catch up on BBC iPlayer for all things habitability 🌍 bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…

And we are back! It's just a few days until The Sky at Night is back on your screens. We will be searching for alien life on Mars, Jupiter's Icy Moons and even exoplanets! BBC4 - Monday 10th April at 10pm 🪐 💫 #skyatnight

We will be speaking with @masephton, #MicheleDougherty from @imperialcollege and @SeanHMcMahon from @EdinburghUni

Imperial College Organic Geochemistry will be on the Sky at Night again on April 10th. @masephton discussed Perseverance, Astrobiology, and preparations for Mars Sample Return. twitter.com/skyatnightmag/…

Plato said that “music ... gives soul to the universe [and] wings to the mind". The response of School students to an Imperial College collaboration with @musicformoons demonstrates that concept in elegant fashion. imperial.ac.uk/news/243911/im…

It's not just rocks on Mars. Regolith is dust and broken materials sitting between sky and the planet below. It has its own story to tell. dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022JE…