Amazingly, they are also habitats in which microscopic organisms called thermophiles—“thermo” for heat, “phile” for lover—survive and thrive. Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin (above) is an outstanding example of this dual characteristic. Visitors are awed by its size and admire its brilliant colors. However, the boardwalk they follow (lower right corner of photo) spans a vast habitat for a variety of thermophiles. Drawing on energy and chemical building blocks available in the hot springs, microbes construct substantial communities throughout the …show more content…
Methods used include scanning the landscape for areas of elevated heat or indicators of water. NASA has also used reflection of infrared and absorption of blue and red light waves as a biomarker; these wavelengths reflections and absorptions are characteristic of photosynthesizing organisms. On the surface, several methods can be employed to search for presence of organisms. One method would be the use of temperature gradients. Another approach would be a change in color such as those demonstrated in the cyanobacteria of Grand Prismatic Spring. Fossils and stromatolite type remains would be strong indicators of the existence living organisms at some point in time. Finally, terracing such as that demonstrated by the cyanobacteria could imply the existence of living organisms.
1. Janiskee, Bob. "Thermophile Research in Yellowstone Helps Guide the Search for Extraterrestrial Life | National Parks Traveler." Commentary, News, and Life in America's Parks | National Parks Traveler. 10 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Sept. 2011.