Early space missions killed Martian microbes ?
August 30th 2007 02:37
Two NASA space probes that visited Mars 30 years ago may have stumbled upon alien bacteria on the Red Planet and accidentally killed them, a scientist theorises. The problem was the Viking space probes of 1976 77 were looking for the wrong kind of life and didn't recognise it.
In the'70s, the Viking mission found no signs of life, but it was looking for Earth like life in which saline water is the internal liquid of living cells. "Given the cold, dry conditions on Mars life could have evolved on Mars with the key internal fluid consisting of a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide," said Dirk SchuIze Maktich, a geology professor at Washington State University and author of the new research. "The Viking experiments of the'70s wouldn't have noticed alien hydrogen peroxide based life and would have killed it by drowning and overheating the microbes," he added.
One Viking experiment looking for life on Mars poured water on a Martian soil sample and in doin so would have essentially drowned hydrogen peroxide based life, SchuIze Maktich claimed.
A different experiment heated the soil to test its reaction but that would have baked Martian microbes, he added
The early mission specialists didn’t have any clue about the environment on Mars at that time. In recent years, scientists have found life on Earth in conditions that were once thought too harsh, such as an extreemly acidic river in Spain and ice covered lakes in Antarctica, bacteria living in hash underwater thermal vents.
The controversial announcement of a meteorite found to be from Mars contained evidence of past life on the planet.
An international team of researchers has discovered compelling evidence that the magnetite crystals in the martian meteorite ALH84001 are of biological origin.
A new NASA Mars mission called Phoenix will investigate the Martian surface for signs of water and ancient life. One of the scientists involved said he is eager to test the new theory about life on Mars. Other experts said the new concept has a "certain logic to it" but more work is needed before they are convinced. The Phoenix Mars Lander blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Aug. 4, 2007 and it is hoped that the misson will bring more detailed information on the presence of water and bactria or any other living organisms living on Mars.
Source: NASA
In the'70s, the Viking mission found no signs of life, but it was looking for Earth like life in which saline water is the internal liquid of living cells. "Given the cold, dry conditions on Mars life could have evolved on Mars with the key internal fluid consisting of a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide," said Dirk SchuIze Maktich, a geology professor at Washington State University and author of the new research. "The Viking experiments of the'70s wouldn't have noticed alien hydrogen peroxide based life and would have killed it by drowning and overheating the microbes," he added.
The view form Viking second landing site
One Viking experiment looking for life on Mars poured water on a Martian soil sample and in doin so would have essentially drowned hydrogen peroxide based life, SchuIze Maktich claimed.
A different experiment heated the soil to test its reaction but that would have baked Martian microbes, he added
image of the Martian southern ice cap
The controversial announcement of a meteorite found to be from Mars contained evidence of past life on the planet.
An international team of researchers has discovered compelling evidence that the magnetite crystals in the martian meteorite ALH84001 are of biological origin.
A new NASA Mars mission called Phoenix will investigate the Martian surface for signs of water and ancient life. One of the scientists involved said he is eager to test the new theory about life on Mars. Other experts said the new concept has a "certain logic to it" but more work is needed before they are convinced. The Phoenix Mars Lander blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Aug. 4, 2007 and it is hoped that the misson will bring more detailed information on the presence of water and bactria or any other living organisms living on Mars.
Source: NASA
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