By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
NASA scientists have developed a cutting edge quantum technology tool aimed at detecting "water worlds" within our solar system. The presence of water in various forms is a key area of interest for scientists, particularly due to liquid water's potential to support extraterrestrial life. According to Dr. Hannes Kraus of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, novel quantum sensors not only enable new scientific discoveries but also allow for the miniaturization of previously large and expensive instruments, enabling flagship level science on smaller CubeSat platforms.
The search for life hinges on locating liquid water in space. Astrobiologists have long adhered to the principle "Follow the Water" in their quest for extraterrestrial life. Consequently, the focus has been on the icy moons of the solar system's gas giants, such as Saturn’s Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa, which are believed to contain vast subsurface oceans beneath their thick ice crusts. These moons are prime targets for future missions. However, conventional remote sensing instruments like cameras and radar struggle to penetrate these ice shells, necessitating alternative techniques until landers or rovers capable of melting or drilling through the ice can be deployed.
Magnetometry has emerged as a promising technique for detecting subsurface oceans. Magnetic fields can penetrate solid materials, providing valuable insights into the interiors of planetary bodies. Recent advancements in solid state quantum magnetometers represent a significant leap in magnetometry. These instruments offer high sensitivity while requiring less power and being smaller and lighter than traditional magnetometers. Solid state quantum magnetometers possess unique quantum advantages, such as self calibration through spin nuclear quantum interaction, which helps them maintain accuracy over time.