ATMoB Meeting

The Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston business meeting and presentation.
Could Evidence of Alien Life Exist within Extraterrestrial Salt? - Philippe Reekie
On Earth, microorganisms can become encapsulated within solid salts during mineral growth, leading to the preservation of biological evidence for millions of years. Given the prevalence of salt minerals across our Solar System, ranging from detections on Mars to sodium and sulfate salts found in Saturn's rings, and occasional discoveries within meteorites, it becomes pertinent to consider the potential for preserving extraterrestrial life within these compounds. Acknowledging the demonstrated ability of salts to safeguard life, it may be strategically sound to channel our efforts into the exploration of salts on other celestial bodies, both through in situ investigations and sample return missions. During this presentation, Philippe Reekie, who has dedicated six years to studying the phenomenon of microbial entombment, will elucidate why he advocates for a focused exploration of salts on alien worlds in our pursuit of understanding extraterrestrial life.
Philippe Reekie works as a communication and outreach specialist with the Center for Astrophysics (CfA). Philippe has achieved a robust multidisciplinary education spanning Planetary Science, Paleontology, Geobiology, and Astrobiology. His ultimate passion lies in the art of translating intricate scientific concepts into accessible and enthralling narratives. Through a diverse array of media platforms and formats, he ardently strives to bridge the chasm between intricate ideas and the public, making science a universal conversation.