Spectral signature reveals possible presence of life on Mars

Ronin · #1 5th April 2002, 11:28 AM

A very tentative analysis conducted by the Mars Pathfinder science team has revealed a spectral signature similar to that of chlorophyll in certain areas of the martian soil around the spacecraft landing sight. I must stress that these findings are very preliminary and a spectral signature similar to that of chlorophyll does not necessarily mean that chlorophyll is present in the soil. Of course, if this pans out, the indication is that simple plant-like organisms may be alive in the martian soil. Without a protective ozone layer, which Mars lacks, this would shed a whole new light (literally and figuratively) on the extreme conditions in which life may evolve and thrive.

BBC story

Jesterhole · #2 5th April 2002, 12:28 PM

This is the type of thing that excites me. If we ever do confirm that life has risen on another planet (or moon) here in our solar system, that means (to me) the universe is simply overflowing with life. And a lot of it probably has millions of years of an evolutionary head start. Wow!

-Drew

StogusMaximus · #3 5th April 2002, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Jesterhole
This is the type of thing that excites me. If we ever do confirm that life has risen on another planet (or moon) here in our solar system, that means (to me) the universe is simply overflowing with life. And a lot of it probably has millions of years of an evolutionary head start. Wow!

-Drew

If God has put life on other planets, it will be His will if we discover it or not.

If there is life on other planets, it is exciting to think about how strong their faith is, and if they have done away with science.

Ronin · #4 5th April 2002, 02:17 PM

If there is life on other planets, it is exciting to think about how strong their faith is, and if they have done away with science.

This doesn't even make any sense.

StogusMaximus · #5 5th April 2002, 02:29 PM

It makes plenty of sence.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5

If we rely totally on the Lord, we do not need our own understanding to survive.

Maybe the life on other planets have given themselves over completely to the Lord and do not need the crutch of science.

ZiSunka · #6 5th April 2002, 02:44 PM

If we ever do confirm that life has risen on another planet (or moon) here in our solar system, that means (to me) the universe is simply overflowing with life. And a lot of it probably has millions of years of an evolutionary head start.

Your statement doesn't follow reasoning. Just because life exists on another planet doesn't mean that it is necessarily older or has any kind of head start, does it?

Jesterhole · #7 5th April 2002, 03:06 PM

<<<Your statement doesn't follow reasoning. Just because life exists on another planet doesn't mean that it is necessarily older or has any kind of head start, does it?>>>

Maybe not YOUR reasoning, but it's makes perfect sense under a secular light. The universe is about 15 billion years old. Our solar system is estimated to be 5-6 billion years old. So life could have arisen in a solar system 5-10 billion years before ours. So, yes, it would have a heck of a head start.

Humans have done amazing things in the past 400 years, thanks exclusively to science. Just imagine what we will be able to accomplish in a thousand, or in a million.

-Drew

Ronin · #8 5th April 2002, 03:29 PM

Maybe the life on other planets have given themselves over completely to the Lord and do not need the crutch of science.

Oy Gevalt! If indeed there are photosynthetic organisms living in martian soil, they are

1. Undoubtedly simple in morphology since more complex structures would not survive the constant bombardment of solar UV.

2. It is unlikely that they would have nervous systems for the same reason given in (1). As such, they would not be able to reason and contemplate the existence of a deity invented by an ape-like species living on another world several astronomical units distant from Mars.

Really people, I am embarrassed for you. I have a few choice words for your science teachers. They utterly failed you.

StogusMaximus · #9 5th April 2002, 03:32 PM

You can be embarrassed for me all you like.

I stand strong in the Lord and I will continue to pray for you.

Ronin · #10 5th April 2002, 03:33 PM

Your statement doesn't follow reasoning. Just because life exists on another planet doesn't mean that it is necessarily older or has any kind of head start, does it?

This we don't know. Current estimates place the age of the solar system at ~4.5 billion years. There are strong indications that Mars once had a much denser atmosphere and flowing water on the surface. It is not inconceivable that life may have gained a toe hold in Martian environs prior to those on Earth but we will not be able to gain more insight into the question until much more extensive exploration is conducted of martian geology and soil chemistry.