What type of analysis requires instruments far more sensitive than those carried on a rover?
Answer
Detailed chemical and isotopic analysis
While current rover instruments are highly capable of performing reconnaissance tasks—like identifying the presence of organic molecules or mapping surface textures—they cannot achieve the precision required for the highest tier of verification. Specifically, determining the precise ratios of carbon isotopes (like the C-12/C-13 ratio) within the organic material demands instrumentation capable of extremely fine resolution. This detailed chemical fingerprinting is necessary to elevate a 'potential biosignature' to confirmed evidence, necessitating the return of the rock cores to advanced laboratories on Earth.
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