title: Atomic force microscopy imaging of fragments from the Martian meteorite ALH84001.
abstract: A combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) techniques, as well as atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods has been used to study fragments of the Martian meteorite ALH84001. Images of the same areas on the meteorite were obtained prior to and following gold/palladium coating by mapping the surface of the fragment using ESEM coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Viewing of the fragments demonstrated the presence of structures, previously described as nanofossils by McKay et al. (Search for past life on Mars--possible relic biogenic activity in martian meteorite ALH84001. Science, 1996, pp. 924-930) of NASA who used SEM imaging of gold-coated meteorite samples. Careful imaging of the fragments revealed that the observed structures were not an artefact introduced by the coating procedure.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK. andrew.steele1@jsc.nasa.gov
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Beech
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tapper
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002254:Carbonates / Q000032:analysis*; D018559:Exobiology / Q000379:methods*; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005580:Fossils; D005844:Geology / Q000379:methods; D018535:Mars; D019110:Meteoroids; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010163:Paleontology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates