Attenuation of Ultraviolet Radiation in Rocks and Minerals: Implications for Mars Science

The effects of radiation on the survivability of key biosignatures are a driving factor in exploration strategies throughout the solar system. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially shorter wavelength UVC radiation, is known to be damaging to organisms and to potential organic biosignatures; however, the interaction of UV radiation with minerals and rocks is not well understood. Constraining the survivability of organics and generation of...