SciTech Express

How C.V. Raman’s Nobel-Winning Discovery is Helping Hunt for Life on Mars From Earth to the Red Planet: The Role of Raman Spectroscopy in Space Exploration Introduction Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, an Indian physicist, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect —a phenomenon that explains how light interacts with molecules, revealing their composition. While this discovery revolutionized optical physics, its impact extends far beyond Earth's laboratories. Today, Raman spectroscopy is playing a crucial role in the search for extraterrestrial life , especially on Mars . NASA’s Perseverance rover and the upcoming ExoMars mission are using Raman spectrometers to analyze Martian rocks, searching for signs of past or present life . But how does a discovery made almost a century ago help scientists hunt for life on another planet? Let’s dive deep into the fascinating connection. What is the Raman Effect? Discovered in 1928 by C.V...

100,000 Years of Cosmic Fire: How a Supernova May Have Sparked an Evolutionary Leap on Earth Introduction Around 2.5 to 8 million years ago , a massive supernova explosion occurred relatively close to Earth, bombarding our planet with cosmic radiation for nearly 100,000 years . Scientists believe this event may have accelerated evolutionary changes , influencing early human ancestors and shaping the planet’s environment. This discovery challenges our understanding of how external cosmic events can impact Earth’s biological and climatic history. What is a Supernova and How Did it Affect Earth? A supernova is the violent explosion of a massive star , releasing an immense amount of energy and radiation. When a star reaches the end of its life cycle, it undergoes a sudden collapse, leading to a cosmic explosion that sends high-energy particles across space. Scientists believe that a supernova explosion in our cosmic neighborhood bombarded Earth with cosmic rays for nearly 100,000 years...

  A supernova six million years ago bathed Earth in cosmic radiation, possibly accelerating evolution 

Cosmic Explosion That Changed Life on Earth: How a Supernova 6 Million Years Ago Supercharged Evolution Scientists believe that a supernova explosion that occurred around six million years ago could have played a significant role in accelerating the course of evolution on Earth. This cosmic event might have influenced climate changes, mutations, and environmental shifts that shaped the development of life forms. Below is a detailed explanation of how this supernova event could have impacted evolution. The Supernova Event and Its Timing A supernova is the explosive death of a massive star, releasing enormous amounts of energy and cosmic radiation. Around six million years ago, a supernova is believed to have exploded relatively close to Earth, approximately 150 light-years away. Evidence of this explosion has been found in deep-sea sediments containing isotopes like iron-60 (Fe-60) , which is a telltale sign of supernova remnants. Cosmic Radiation and Its Effect on Earth's Atmospher...

Asteroid Bennu: A Gateway to Understanding Life’s Origins About Asteroid Bennu Bennu is a small, near-Earth asteroid that follows a six-year orbit around the Sun, periodically coming close to Earth. It is classified as a carbonaceous (C-type) asteroid, meaning it is rich in carbon-containing compounds and may hold clues to the early solar system. Scientists believe Bennu originated from a much larger carbon-rich asteroid that broke apart 700 million to 2 billion years ago. NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was launched by NASA in 2016 to study Bennu and collect surface samples. In 2020, the spacecraft successfully retrieved samples using its robotic arm and stored them in a return capsule. In 2023, these samples were delivered back to Earth for analysis. Scientific Findings from Bennu’s Samples The samples contained essential life-building compounds , such as: Amino acids – Fundamental components of proteins. Nucleobases – Key building blocks of DNA and RNA. W...