A new kind of microscope called ELVIS is heading to the International Space Station to change how we study life in space.
By creating stunning 3D holograms of cells, it allows scientists to observe how organisms adapt to microgravity and other extreme conditions. This could help us understand whether life can exist on icy moons like Europa or Enceladus, and even enhance biomedical research back on Earth.
Onboard the International Space Station (ISS), a new technology called the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System — nicknamed ELVIS — is set to advance space biology in a big way. While it shares a name with a music icon, this ELVIS is focused on scientific discovery. Using holographic imaging to create detailed 3D views of cells and microbes, the system allows researchers to explore how life adapts and survives under extreme conditions. The insights gained could help scientists understand whether life might exist on distant planets or icy moons.
Unlike traditional flat, two-dimensional microscopes, ELVIS captures the full structure and environmental interactions of microorganisms in three dimensions. This added depth enables more precise biological analysis, offering new clues about how life could function in the harshest parts of space.
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