Gourt > Science > Astronomy > Solar System > Mars > Life on Mars
- For the David Bowie song, see Life on Mars?. For the TV series, see Life on Mars (TV series).
Scientists have long speculated about the possibility of life on Mars due to that planet's proximity and similarity to Earth. It remains an open question whether life exists on Mars now, or existed there in the past.
History
It has long been speculated that there may be life on Mars, due to the many similarities the planet has with Earth. Mars' polar ice-caps were observed as early as the mid-17th century, and they were first proven to grow and shrink alternately, in the summer and winter of each hemisphere, by William Herschel in the latter part of the 18th century. By the mid-19th century, astronomers knew that Mars had certain other similarities to Earth, for example that the length of a day on Mars was almost the same as a day on Earth. They also knew that its axial tilt was similar to Earth's, which meant it experienced seasons just as Earth does - but of nearly double the length owing to its much longer year. These observations led to the increase in speculation that the darker albedo features were water, and brighter ones were land. It was therefore natural to suppose that Mars may be inhabited by some form of life. More on [ Life on Mars ]
Extraterrestrial Life :: Astronomy
UFOs :: Paranormal
GeoEye-1 Will Be A High-Res Eye In The Sky
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:29:00 -0400
The GeoEye-1 satellite will be capable of making out details on Earth just 16 inches across. It will be the highest resolution satellite run by a private company; it's images will be marketed to a range of governments and private customers.
Europe Considers Joining Space-Faring Nations
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:35:00 -0400
Europe's space agency reached two milestones earlier this year. A European-built lab was installed at the International Space Station, and Europe launched a robotic cargo vehicle that successfully docked with the station. The European Space Agency is thinking about converting the vehicle so it could take astronauts into orbit.
Tensions With Russia May Hurt NASA Program
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:18:00 -0400
The conflict with Russia over Georgia might affect NASA's ability to get astronauts to the international space station after the space shuttle gets retired in 2010. Congress must pass a special waiver by Sept. 30 so NASA can buy Soyuz capsule flights.
What Makes Our Solar System Special?
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:02:00 -0400
Researchers say that if the conditions had been slightly different for our solar system, planets could have careened into the sun or been expelled into deep space. Also: A volunteer astronomer spots a strange gaseous object some are calling a "cosmic ghost."
Phoenix Finds A Salt Compound On Mars
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:07:00 -0400
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected a salt found on Earth on the surface of Mars. The salt, called perchlorate, is used in fireworks and rocket fuel. The news follows the recent confirmation of the presence of water on the Red Planet.
Space Company Hopes To Cut Cost Of Launches
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:44:00 -0400
A private company called SpaceX has failed three times to reach orbit with one of its rockets. But the company says it's learning from its failures and still hopes to radically decrease the cost of putting objects in space.
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Beagle2-Leicester University Space Research Centre - Information on the Beagle 2 Mars Lander for launch in 2003 aboard the European Space Agency's Mars Express mission, with instrumentation developed at Leicester University to search for evidence of extant or extinct life.
Blue Sky on Mars Pathfinder and Viking Pictures [mars-news.de] - The original raw image data from Viking and Pathfinder show blue sky.
Meta Description: [ Blue Sky on Mars! Why do the NASA-pictures have this red tint? Life on Mars! ]
Debate on Mars Life Rages Long after Viking - Scientific re-consideration of possible evidence of biological processes on Mars from Viking Lander data.
Meta Description: [ The mightiest probe ever to land on another planet settled down on Mars on this day 25 years ago, igniting a scientific firestorm that still rages today -- Does the red planet possess life? ]
International Committee Against Mars Sample Return - Educational website concerning planetary protection, forward contamination of Mars, and back contamination of Earth by microbes.
Meta Description: [ International Committee Against Mars Sample Return (ICAMSR) is an
organization to increase public awareness of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) and other Sample Return projects.
ICAMSR is opposed to bringing back mars and other interstellar samples directly to the Earth that may contain
po... ]
Life on Mars - Malin Space Science Systems article recounts the history of speculation and investigation into the possibility of life on the red planet.
Life on Mars and Europa Space Exploration Page - Images and facts about the possibility of life on Mars, Europa, and current exploration projects.
Meta Description: [ Mars Polar Lander, Mars Climate Orbiter, Life on Europa, Space, Space Missions, Mission To Mars, Life On Mars, Aliens, Does Life Exist, Mars Missions, NASA, Nasa Missions, Mars, Outer Space, Jupiter, Planets ]
Life on Mars? [MarsNews.com] - The discovery of Mars meteorite ALH84001 and debate about the findings of ancient Martian life contained within. The Viking experiments and the debate about the results of the Labeled Release experiment. The implications if Mars life is found.
Mars Edition: Astrobiology Magazine - Various articles, images, and links relating to the search for life on Mars.
Meta Description: [ Mars, Red Planet, Mars exploration rover mission, Beagle, NASA, ESA, martian, pathfinder, mars life ]
MarsNews.com: Life on Mars - News feed of recent articles related to the possibility of life on the red planet.
Martian Meteorite Debate Rages On - News article examining controversy caused by studies of Martian meteorite ALH 84001 which may contain organic compounds.
Meta Description: [ Mars has always been a provocateur. ]
Old data holds new hope for Life on Mars - There's a rhythm in the release of radioactive-labeled gas in the experiments done by the Viking-Landers in 1976. This cycle could be the circadian rhythm of bacteria.
Meta Description: [ A scientist believes he sees tell-tale signs of microbes on Mars hiding in experimentresults gathered nearly 25 years ago. ]
Past Life On Mars - Speculation concerning a 700 foot terrestrial dinosaur on Mars.
Red Planet Life - Seven short articles regarding life on mars, extra terrestrial life, and man getting to mars.
Search for life on Mars will start in Siberia - NASA funds permafrost study to support astrobiology research.
Meta Description: [ NASA Web site featuring headlines on recent astronomy research at Marshall Space Flight Center. Read about developments in auroras, the sun, and deep space. New headlines appear every few days. ]
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Search for Past Life on Mars - Possible Relic Biogenic Activity in Martian Meteorite ALH84001
The Cydonia Controversy - An investigation of the Face that takes a more scientific approach.
Wired News: Scientists: Life on Mars Likely - Interviewed researchers speculate on the likelihood of finding Archaea or other subsurface microbial activity.
Meta Description: [ Get the latest in science news, including space, physics, planet earth, discoveries, NASA, satellites, and space travel from Wired.com ]
| . This time Bowie's Life on Mars with some other stuff on top. ... Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Big Chill life on ... | |
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