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3D Microscopy of Fossils Embedded in Solid Rock

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the john-hammond-getting-interested dept.

whitehatlurker writes "UCLA is reporting that a process involving Raman spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy has enabled researchers to take three dimensional images of fossils that have been embedded in solid stone for over 650 million years. It also permits characterization of the chemical structures of the fossil. As the process is non-destructive and can image microscopic fossils (such as bacteria) with (formerly) soft tissues, there is speculation that this could be used on a mission to Mars to examine sediments there for evidence of life."

6 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. Jurassic Park? by brian0918 · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is news?? Didn't they have this technology in Jurassic Park back in 1993?? Clearly this is once again the fault of the Slashdot editors, for Hollywood has never deceived me before.

  2. 650 million years??!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    . . .that have been embedded in solid stone for over 650 million years.
    How can that be when we all know that the Earth is only 6000 years old? ;-)
    1. Re: 650 million years??!! by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny

      > How can that be when we all know that the Earth is only 6000 years old?

      The higher numbers are virtual years, allowing us to determine the fake dates on all the fossils God created.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  3. Re:"a process involving Raman spectroscopy " by shreevatsa · · Score: 3, Funny

    LOL, nice. It says Raman Spectroscopy, but the Ramen Spectroscopy you speak of is quite interesting too :)

    (BTW, Raman Spectroscopy is named after Sir C V Raman, who won the Physics Nobel in 1930. One story about him that the Wikipedia article doesn't (yet?) mention is that he had booked his tickets to Stockholm several months before the Nobel prizes were announced! Another that it does mention is that when he was offered a toast, he replied, being a teetotaller, "Sir, you have seen the Raman effect on alcohol; please do not try to see the alcohol effect on Raman." ;)

  4. Re:What? by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Both sides"? It's Raman spectroscopy, so I'm sure that the Noodly One wants a word too.

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  5. Re:"a process involving Raman spectroscopy " by radarvectors · · Score: 2, Funny

    Advantages of Ramen Spectroscopy:

    - Fast and convenient to prepare.
    - Great taste and convenience.
    - Versatile.
    - Consistent high quality, providing excellent value.