How to Find Life: Look for Molecular Diversity
The chemical composition of a sample is like a soundscape. A living forest sounds polyphonic: chirping, rustles, the hum of insects. A barren desert is just the whistle of the wind.
Europa's Ice Under Electron Fire
Europa's surface is an icy armor continuously bombarded by charged particles from Jupiter's magnetosphere. Electrons slam into the ice's crystal lattice, lose energy, and kick off chemical reactions. Until now, there was no tool to show how deep such bombardment pierces the ice.