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Publications
2010
  • Horvath, Andras; Berczi, Szaniszlo; Kereszturi, Akos; Pocs, Tamas; Sik, Andras; Szathmary, Eors Shielding with Martian snow: suitable temperature and water vapor for possible living organisms. 38th COSPAR Sceintific Assemply Bremen, Germany, abstract Fri-346 F34-0022-10
  • Kereszturi A., Bérczi Sz., Horváth A., Pócs T., Sik A., Szathmáry E., Astrobiological characteristics and possibility of life in the polar Dark Dune Spots of Mars (Invited Paper). Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII (Conference 7819) SPE 2010 Conference, San Diego, Paper 7819-17
  • Kereszturi A., Möhlmann D., Berczi Sz., Ganti T., Horvath A., Kuti A., Sik A. Seepages and the Astrobiological Potential of Polar Dunes on Mars, chapter in Astrobiology: Physical Origin, Biological Evolution and Spatial Distribution, ed. Simon Hegedûs and Jakob Csonka, 2010. Nova Publishers, Hauppauge, NY, USA, ISBN: 978-1-60741-290-8
  • Bérczi Sz, Horváth A., Kereszturi A., Sik A. Microstructure on the surface of dark dunes in the polar regions of Mars. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2010) 1671. pdf
  • A. Kereszturi, D. Möhlmann, Sz. Berczi, T. Ganti, A. Horvath, A. Kuti, A. Sik and E. Szathmary Indications of brine related local seepage phenomena on the northern hemisphere of Mars, Icarus 207, p. 149-164, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2009.10.012. pdf
  • A. Luspay-Kuti, A. Kereszturi, V. F. Chevrier Analysis of Frost Inside and Around Dokka Crater in the North Polar Region of Mars. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2010) 2028. pdf
  • Kereszturi, A., Schmidt, F., Vincendon M. Searching for water ice in the dark dune spots of Mars using CRISM data. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2010) 1714. pdf
  • Möhlmann D., Kereszturi A. Viscous liquid film flow on dune slopes of Mars, Icarus 207, 654-658. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.01.002

2009
  • Horváth, A., Bérczi, Sz., Sik, A., Kereszturi, A. “Inca City” DDS Test Region in Mars: New Comparisons by MRO Data. European Planetary Science Congress 2009. EPSC2009-294. pdf
  • Kereszturi, A., Bérczi, Sz., Horváth, A., Pocs, T., Sik, A., Szathmáry, E. Northern and southern seepages on Mars and their astrobiological consequences. European Planetary Science Congress 2009. EPSC2009-445, pdf
  • Möhlmann D. Are nanometric films of liquid undercooled interfacial water bio-relevant? Cryobiology, doi:10.1016/j.cryobiol.2009.01.004, in print
  • Pócs T. Cyanobacterial crust types, as strategies for survival in extreme habitats. Acta Botanica Hungarica 51(1-2) 147-178. pdf
  • Kereszturi A., Möhlmann D., Pócs T., Bérczi Sz., Horváth A., Sik A. Recent rheologic processes on dark polar dunes of Mars: Driven by interfacial water? Icarus 201, 492-503. pdf
  • Gánti T., Pócs T., Bérczi Sz., Horváth A., Kereszturi A., Sik A., Szathmáry E. Ideal microhabitats on Mars: the astrobiological potential of polar dunes. 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference #1618. pdf
  • Kereszturi A. Horváth A. Sik A. Kuti A. Bérczi Sz. Gánti T. Pócs T. Szathmáry E. Possible Liquid-like Water Produced Seepage Features on Mars. 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference #1111. pdf
  • Horváth A., Kereszturi A., Bérczi Sz., Sik A., Pócs T., Gánti T., Szathmáry E. Analysis of Dark Albedo Features on a Southern Polar Dune Field of Mars, Astrobiology 9(1) 90-103. doi:10.1089/ast.2007.0212. pdf

2008
  • A. Kereszturi, D. Möhlmann, Sz. Berczi, T. Ganti, A. Horvath, A. Kuti, T. Pocs, A. Sik, E. Szathmary, Analysis of possible interfacial water driven seepages on Mars, Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX (2008) #1555 pdf
  • Horváth A., Kereszturi Á., Bérczi Sz., Sik A., Gánti T., Pócs T., Kuti A. and Szathmáry E., Seepage Phenomena Originating from Dark Dune Spots at Southern and Northern Polar Region of Mars, 3rd Planetology Seminar, Budapest, #P1 pdf
  • A. Kereszturi, Sz. Berczi, A. Horvath, T. Ganti, A. Kuti, T. Pocs, A. Sik, E. Szathmary, North-south comparison of springtime dark slope structures on Mars, and the possibility of liquid water, European Planetary Science Congress (2008) Vol. 3, EPSC2008-A-00386 pdf
  • Kereszturi A., Möhlmann D., Berczi Sz., Ganti T., Horvath A., Kuti A., Pocs T., Sik A., Szathmary E., Seepage phenomena on Mars at subzero temperature, 37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Montréal, Canada pdf
  • Kuti A, Kereszturi Á, Seasonal frost behaviorin and around Dokka crater on Mars, 3rd Planetology Seminar, Budapest, #D4 pdf

2007

  • Szathmary E., Ganti T., Pocs T., Horvath A., Kereszturi A., Berzci Sz. and Sik A. (2007), Life in the dark dune spots of Mars: a testable hypothesis - in Planetary Systems and the Origin of Life, ed. Ralph Pudritz, Paul Higgs, Jonathan Stone, Cambridge Astrobiology Series III., Cambridge University Press Cambridge catalogue Googlebooks
  • Szathmáry, E.; Bérczi, Sz.; Pócs, T.; Horváth, A.; Gánti, T.; Kereszturi, A.; Sik, A. (2007) Ephemeral conditions for life at the South Polar Region of Mars, European Planetary Science Congress 2007, ID-Nr. ID-NR: EPSC2007-A-00162. pdf (500 k)
  • A. Kereszturi, A. Sik, A. Horvath, D. Reiss, R. Jaumann and G.Neukum (2007) Season-dependent behavior of Dark Dune Spots on Mars. 38th Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) #1864. pdf (0.4 M)
  • Pócs, T.; Horvath, A.; Ganti, T.; Bérczi, Sz.; Kereszturi, A.; Sik, A.; Szathmary, E. (2007) Comparison of Surface Mineral Crusts and Cryptobiotic-Crusts: How Can They Help Life Support Mechanisms; Implications to Living Organisms on Mars, 38th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, #1144. pdf (0.8 M)
  • Reiss, D., Jaumann, R., Kereszturi, A., Sik, A., Neukum, G. (2007) Gullies and avalanche scars on Martian dark dunes. 38th Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) #1993. pdf (0.4 M)
  • Bérczi Sz., Pócs T., Horváth A., Gánti T., Kereszturi A., Sik A. and Szathmáry E.. (2007) Possibility of transient liquid water on the dark subpolar dune fields of Mars. The 31st Symposium on Antarctic Meteorites, Tokyo pdf (0.3 M)

2006

  • Pócs, T. (2006) Bryophyte communities at the edge of Tunisian Sahara, I, with the description of Gymnostomum viridulum Brid. ssp. nov. saharae (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta). Accepted for publication at Nova Hedwigia (Berlin-Dahlem)
  • Szathmáry, E. Adaptation and evolution. European Planetary Science Congress, EPSC2006-A-00525.pdf
  • Pócs T., Gánti T., Horváth A., Bérczi Sz, Kereszturi A., Sik A., Szathmáry E. Comparison of the cryptobiotic-crusts and surface mineral crusts according to their main characteristics in helping life support mechanisms and their implied role for Martian living organisms, 30th Conference on Antarctic Meteorites, 2006. június 6-8. Proceedings p. 99-100. pdf
  • Szathmáry E. (2006): Key questions of the origin of life, Keynote Lecture, Nordic Astrobiology 2006, Stockholm, 2006. May 8.-11.
  • Horváth A., Gánti T., Bérczi Sz., Pócs T., Kereszturi Á., Sik A. : Marsi dûnefoltok: az élet lehetõsége a Marson?, Magyar Tudomány, 2006/11. 1357-1375. o. pdf (1,5 M), html
  • Gánti T., Sz. Bérczi, A. Horváth, A. Kereszturi, T. Pócs, A. Sik, E. Szathmáry: Hypothetical time sequence of the morphological changes in global and local levels of the dark dune spots in polar regions of Mars, Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVII #1918 pdf (0,3 M)
  • Gánti T., Sz. Bérczi, A. Horváth, A. Kereszturi, T. Pócs, A. Sik, E. Szathmáry: installation of exhibition in Vienna as part of the X.06 Exhibition in 2006. The exhibition explores and visualizes the mediation and communication of science, where DDS section was part of it at the Planetarium of Vienna. The exhibition was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Innovation and Technology (BMVIT), the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culure (BMBWK), the Federal Ministry of Economic and Labor (BMWA), and the Council for Research and Technology Development of Austria. More information at x.06 - the true/false inc., an Interview from Monochrom

2005

  • Szathmáry E., Horváth A., Bérczi Sz., Kereszturi Á., Pócs, T., Gánti T., Sik A. Surface refugia Surface refugia on Mars? First Mars Express Scientific Conference, EWSTEC, Noordwijk, pdf
  • Szathmáry, E., Horváth. A., Sik, A., Bérczi, Sz., Ganti, T., Pócs, T., Kereszturi, A.: Signs of water runoff and its relation to possible living organisms on Mars, 5th EANA Workshop on Astrobiology, Budapest doc
  • E. Szathmáry : Signs of water runoff and its relation to possible living organisms on Mars, Astrobiology: Life in extreme conditions conference, Nordita, 21-22 Nov, Institute of Theoretial Biophysics, Blindern, Oslo, Norway ppt
  • Szathmáry E., Horváth A., Bérczi Sz., Kereszturi Á., Pócs, T., Gánti T., Sik A.: Candidates for Organisms on Mars on the basis of DDS, CBC, Desert varnish and cryoconite studies. 1st Mars Express Science Conference, ESTEC, Noordwijk, (21-25 February 2005), poster presentation.
  • Horváth, A. Kereszturi, Á. Bérczi, Sz., Sik, A., Pócs, T., Gesztesi, A., Gánti, T., Szathmáry, E. : Annual change of Martian DDS-seepages. #1128. LPI, Houston, poster presentation, pdf (0,7 M)
  • Bérczi Sz., Horváth A., Nagy B., Kereszturi Á., Sik A., Pócs T., Gesztesi A., Gánti T., Szathmáry E. : Comparisons of Martian Flow-Streaks with DDS Origin and their Probable Counterparts on Antarctica. 29th NIPR Symposium Antarctic Meteorites, Tokyo, p.3.

2004

  • Córdoba Jabonero, C., Fernández-Remolar, D., González-Kessler, C., Manrubia, S., C., Prieto Ballesteros, O., Selsis, F., Bérczi, Sz., Gánti, T., HORVÁTH, A., Sik, A., and Szathmáry, E. Comparative Analysis of Geological Features and Seasonal Processes of Inca City and Pityusa Patera Regions of Mars, Proc, of the III. European Workshop on Exo-Astrobiology. Mars: The search for Life, Spain, 18-20 November 2003. ESA SP-545, March 2004, pp.77-80. pdf (0.8 M)
  • Pócs, T., Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Szathmáry, E. Possible Crypto-Biotic-Crust on Mars? In: Exo/Astrobiology, Proc. Third Eur. Workshop, ESA SP-545, 265-266.pdf (0.3 M)
  • Bérczi, Sz., A. Kereszturi, Á., Horváth A. Stratigraphy of Special Layers - Transient ones on Permeable ones: Examples from Earth and Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXV, #1317, Houston pdf (0.1 M)
  • Horváth, A., Pócs, T., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Szathmáry, E. On the Possibility of a Crypto-Biotic-Crust on Mars Based on Northern and Southern Ringed Polar Dune Spots Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXV, #1914, Houston pdf (0.2 M)
  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Pócs, T., Bérczi, Sz., Szathmáry, E. Astrobiology on Mars 35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, F3.5/B0.11 Scient. Commiss. B: "In-situ Search for Traces of Life on Mars", 18-25 July 2004, Paris, France. ppt (2.9 M)
  • Pócs, T., Szathmáry, E., Bérczi, Sz., Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Kereszturi, Á (2004b) Cryptobiotic crust types, as earthy analogues of possible Martian life forms, IV. European Workshop on Exo-Astrobiology (EANA), Life in Extreme Environments, Great Britain, 22-25 November 2004, abstract book, p. 18, presentation.

2003

  • Horváth A., Gánti T., Gesztesi A., Bérczi Sz., Szathmáry E. (2003) Vozmozhnoe dokozatelstvo nineshnej zhizni na Marse (Probable Evidence of Recent Life on Mars). Materiali Mezhdunarodnoj nauchnij konferencii „Intercosmos-30”, 9-10 apr. 2001. Moscow, oral presentation; (Proceedings of Russian Academy of Sciences, IK-30), RAN, pp. 106-112, Moscow (in Russian and English language) pdf (1.3 M)
  • T. Gánti, A. Horváth, Sz. Bérczi, A. Gesztesi, E. Szathmáry Evidence for water by Mars Odyssey is compatible with a biogenic DDS-formation process. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIV, #1134, Houston pdf (1.2 M)
  • A. Horváth, T. Gánti, Sz. Bérczi, A. Gesztesi, E. Szathmáry Morphological analysis of annual recurrence of dark dune spots on Southern Polar Region of Mars Planet. Sci. XXXIV, #1380, Houston pdf (0.3 M)
  • A. Horváth, S. C. Manrubia, T. Gánti, Sz. Bérczi, A. Gesztesi, D. Fernández-Remolar, O. Prieto Ballesteros, E. Szathmáry Proposal for Mars Express: detailed DDS-test in the "Inca City" and "Csontváry" areas EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly, PS. Mars exploration programmes, 6-11 April, 2003, Nice France pdf (0.1 M)
  • C. Córdoba-Jabonero, D. Fernández-Remolar, C. González-Kessler, F. Lesmes, S. C. Manrubia, O. Prieto Ballesteros, F. Selsis, Sz. Bérczi, A. Gesztesi and A. HORVÁTH Analysis of geological features and seasonal processes in the Cavi Novi region of Mars EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly, PS. Mars exploration programmes, 6-11 April, 2003, Nice France, Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 5, 13011. ppt (0.1 M)
  • T . Gánti, A. Horváth, Sz. Bérczi, A. Gesztesi, E. Szathmáry Dark Dune Spots: possible biomarkers on Mars? Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere 33: pp. 515-557, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands. pdf (2.8 M)
  • C. Córdoba Jabonero, D. Fernández-Remolar, C. González-Kessler, S. C. Manrubia, O. Prieto Ballesteros, F. Selsis, Sz. Bérczi, T. Gánti, A. HORVÁTH, A. Sik, and E. Szathmáry Comparative Analysis of Geological Features and Seasonal Processes of Inca City and Pityusa Patera Regions of Mars, 3rd European Workshop on Exo/Astrobiology, 18-20, November, 2003, Madrid.pdf (0.8 M)
  • Horváth A. A marsi sötét dûnefoltok morfológiája, MTA Geonómiai Bizottság Szádeczky-emlékülése, október 21, Budapest, elõadás ppt (2.3 M)
  • Pócs, T., A. Horváth, T. Gánti, Sz. Bérczi, E. Szathmáry Are the Dark Dune Spots Remnants of the Crypto-Biotic-Crust of Mars? 38th Vernadsky/Brown Microsymposium on Comparative Planetology, Oct. 27-29, 2003, Moscow, MS079, ppt (0.2 M)
  • A. Horváth, T. Gánti, Sz. Bérczi, E. Szathmáry Biogenic Ringed Dark Dune Spots on Mars? 38th Vernadsky/Brown Microsymposium on Comparative Planetology, Oct. 27-29, 2003, Moscow 27. MS034. pdf
  • S. C. Manrubia, A. Horvath, T. Ganti, E. Szathmáry, A. Gesztesi, Sz. Berczi (2002) Investigation of the possible biological orogin of DarkDunrSpots (DDSs). Living organism on the surface of Mars?, Mars Express Science Meeting, Dec. 2002, ESTEC, Nordwijk, Holland, presentacion. ppt

2002

  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Gesztesi, A., Bérczi, Sz., Szathmáry, E. (2002) Morphological Analysis of the Dark Dune Spots on Mars: New Aspects in Biological Interpretation. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIII, #1108, Houston ppt (0.3 M)
  • A. Horváth, Sz. Bérczi, T. Gánti, A. Gesztesi, E. Szathmáry (2002) The "Inca City" Region of Mars: Test field for Dark Dune Spots Origin Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIII, #1109, Houston ppt (2.3 M)
  • Gánti, T., Horváth, A., Gesztesi, A., Bérczi, Sz., Szathmáry, E. (2002) Defrosting and Melting, not Defrosting Alone Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIII. #1221, Houston ppt (0.6 M)
  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry, E. (2002) Seasonal change and annual appearance of biogenic dark dune spots on Mars, EGS XXVII. General Assembly, PS2 Symposium 'Mars Exploration Programmes', EGS02-A-04961, 21-26 April, 2002, Nice, France pdf (0.04 M)
  • Horváth, A., Bérczi, Sz., Gánti, T., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry, E. (2002) Possible biomarkers on mars and the mars express mission, EGS XXVII. General Assembly, PS2 Symposium 'Mars Exploration Programmes', EGS02-A-04947, 21-26 April, 2002, Nice, Frances pdf (0.04 M)
  • Gánti, T., Horváth, A., Szathmáry, E. DDS-MSO hypotesis: presence of life on Mars, EGS XXVII. General Assembly, PS1.04 Symposium 'Exobiology in the Solar System', EGS02-A-04972, 21-26 April, Nice, France. pdf (0.04 M)
  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry, E. "Biogenic" Dark Dune Spots on Mars and Probable Antarctic Analogues, Antarctic Meteorites XXVII, National Insritute of Polar Research, Tokyo, Japan, pp. 37-39. pdf (0.3 M)
  • Gánti, T., Horváth, A., Szathmáry, E. Possible Photosynthetic Microbes in the Dark Dune Spots, Second European Workshop on Exo/Astrobiology, 16-19 Sept, Graz, Austria. pdf (0.02 M)
  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry, E. Annual Reappearance of Biogenic Dark Dune Spots on Southern Polar Region of Mars, 36th Vernadsky/Brown Microsymposium on Comparative Planetology, Oct. 14-16, 2002, Moscow, pdf (0.3 M)
  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry, E. DDS-biomarker Hypothesis is Supported by Water Data of Mars Odyssey 36th Vernadsky/Brown Microsymposium on Comparative Planetology, Oct. 14-16, 2002, Moscow pdf (0.3 M)
  • Gánti, T., Horváth, A., Szathmáry, E. Life on Mars, now?, Origin of Life and Early Evolution, 1st Workshop of the COST Chemistry Action D27, Oct. 17-20, 2002, Ravello, Italy doc
  • Horváth, A., Gánti, T., Bérczi, Sz., Gesztesi, A., Szathmáry, E., Manrubia, S. Investigation of the possible biological origin of Dark Dune Spots (DDSs). Living organisms on the surface of Mars? Mars Express Science Working Team Meeting, Dec. 4-5, ESTEC/ESA, Noordwijk, Holland ppt (1.4 M)

2001

  • Horváth A., Gánti T., Gesztesi A., Bérczi Sz., Szathmáry E. (2001) Probable evidences of recent biological activity on Mars: appearance and growing of dark dune spots in the south polar region. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXII, #1543, Houston. pdf (0.4 M)
  • Bérczi, Sz., Horváth, A. (2001) Morphology of the Dark Dune Spots (DDSs) on Southern Polar Region of Mars ,Exclusive Symposium: Potencial biomarkers on Mars, 4. Oct. 2001, ESTEC, Noordwijk, Holland, presentation.
  • Szathmary, E. (2001) Possible biological aspect of DDSs on Mars, Exclusive Symposium “Potencial biomarkers on Mars”, 4. Oct. 2001, ESTEC, Nolrdwijk, Holland, presentation
Members of the ESA Mars Astrobiology Group at Collegium Budapest (Institute for Advanced Study) have been analyzing seasonally changing features and seepages on polar dunes of Mars since 2001. Interfacial water-covered grains with radiation shielding against UV may provide a tolerable microenvironment there.

Cryptobiotic crust communities were analyzed as partial analogues on Earth, showing adaptation to dryness, cold and a long dormant state. The DDS-MSO (Dark Dune Spot - Mars Surface Organism) hypothesis was developed, according to which ephemeral conditions are favourable for living organisms on Mars.

This hypothesis is compatible with all the recent discoveries of H2O and layered polar frost on Mars, and low-temperature metabolism on Earth. Click here for our publications and brief description of the model.