Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

The Search for Life on Mars:
Challenges and Opportunities in Current and Future Mars Exploration

Amy Williams

University of Florida, Gainesville

The exploration of Mars has taken us from ‘Follow the Water’ with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, to ‘Follow the Carbon’ with the Curiosity rover. We now accept the challenge to ‘Follow the Life’ with the grand search for ancient life on Mars through the Perseverance rover mission and the Mars Sample Return program. This seminar will explore the foundational discoveries and ongoing exploration of Mars with NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, and the potential for future Mars missions.