Researchers are using basalt spectra to study exoplanets and search for water with the James Webb Space Telescope. By ...

Basalt is usually formed when lava solidifies ... causing them to change into another type of rock. They are usually resistant to weathering and erosion and are therefore very hard-wearing.

A project at the University of Tokyo has now applied a photothermal optical spectroscopy technique to the task, investigating whether it could detect evidence of living microbes while satisfying these ...