MERMOZ

The aim of the project is to remotely identify and characterize life on the planet Earth from space, and to extend this technology to other solar system bodies and exoplanets.

This phenomenon is called circular polarization and is caused by the biological matter’s homochirality.” These unique spirals of light indicate living materials; whereas, non-living materials do not reflect such unique spirals of light, according to the researchers.

[8] The research team conducted feasibility studies, using a newly designed detection instrument, based on circular spectropolarimetry, and named FlyPol+ (an upgrade from the original FlyPol), by flying in a helicopter at an altitude of 2 km (1.2 mi) and velocity of 70 km/h (43 mph) for 25 minutes.

The researchers concluded: "Circular spectropolarimetry can be a powerful technique to detect life beyond Earth, and we emphasize the potential of utilizing circular spectropolarimetry as a remote sensing tool to characterize and monitor in detail the vegetation physiology and terrain features of Earth itself.

"[4] The researchers next expect to scan the Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) with their detection instruments.