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Science Life can exist on Mars
Science Life can exist on Mars | Life can exist on Mars |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Friday, 27 June 2008 | |
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Science DiscussionsOn Thursday, June 26, 2008, Samuel Kounaves, Tufts University professor and Jet Propulsion Laboratory researcher with the Phoenix mission, reports, "We were all very flabbergasted at the data we got back [from the wet chemistry tests]. We basically have found what appears to be the requirements to support life, whether in the past, present or future. We have elements that you might find in your backyard." [ComputerWorld: “NASA: Tests show Martian soil can support life ”] The first test from the wet chemistry laboratory on the Mars Lander was soil taken by the robotic arm from the trench “Wonderland.” In addition, Michael Hecht, JPL scientist, stated, "We are awash in chemistry data. We're trying to understand what is the chemistry of wet soil on Mars, what's dissolved in it, how acidic or alkaline it is. With the results we received from Phoenix yesterday, we could begin to tell what aspects of the soil might support life." [ComputerWorld] Kournaves admitted that the results were preliminary. However, he stated that all of the minerals necessary for life were found in the Martial soil sample. It was also very alkaline. He said the composition was typical of soils on Earth. He stated, "This soil appears to be a close analog to surface soils found in the upper dry valleys in Antarctica. The alkalinity of the soil at this location is definitely striking. At this specific location, one-inch into the surface layer, the soil is very basic, with a pH of between eight and nine. We also found a variety of components of salts that we haven't had time to analyze and identify yet, but that include magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride." [University of Arizona: “Phoenix Returns Treasure Trove For Science ”] Is Mars an alien world or Earth-like? It seems, maybe, a little of both. Please read on for more comments from mission team members. |
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