A fluorescence microscopic system has been developing in order to detect living microorganisms, the past microorganisms and organic compounds on Mars, Europe and/or in an extreme environmental condition on Earth. Special fluorescent dyes which have affinity for enzymes, nucleic acids or cell membranes, out of a number of fluorescent dyes, have been selected for identifying microorganisms in soil samples on Mars. It is shown that a single microorganism in soil sample as well as a lump of organic matter can be detected by the present method. In order to decide whether the soil samples at the drilling point are qualified to further fluorescent analysis with staining, the reflecting light from the bottom surface of drilling holes will be measured through optical fibers without the use of fluorescent dyes. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or aggregates of bacteria were clearly visualized by measuring the spectrum of the reflecting light without fluorescent dyes.

Date Published: 30 December 1999
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 3755, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology II, (30 December 1999); doi: 10.1117/12.375073

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3755:
Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology II
Richard B. Hoover, Editor(s)