The meteorite labeled ALH84001 sits under a microscope at a Johnson Space Center lab in Houston,in this Aug. 7, 1996 file photo. Researchers at NASA and three universities claimed to have found in the rock from Mars organic compounds they said were deposited by primitive life forms before the meteorite was blasted into space and sent on a 15 million-year voyage to Earth. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
This undated NASA photo shows a high-resolution scanning electron microscope image of an unusual tube-like form, less than 1/100th the width of a human hair, found in the meteorite ALH84001. This image was among material released at an Aug. 6, 1996, NASA news conference as evidence that primitive life once existed on the red planet. Ten years later, evidence of life on Mars has yet to be verified. (AP Photo/NASA)
This is an enlarged image of a particle from the ALH84001 meteorite showing carbonate globules in orange. A study by researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and three universities claimed on Aug. 6, 1996, to have found organic compounds within these globules. The researchers claimed the compounds were deposited by primitive life forms before the rock was blasted into space and sent on a 15 million-year voyage to Earth. Ten years later, the evidence of life on Mars has yet to be verified. (AP Photo/NASA)
This week life is impossible again because of hydrogen peroxide in the atmosphere. But, atomic nitrogen has been found in a comet, and that is a positive for the search for life beyond earth (I don't know why, chemistry isn't my thing).
When it comes to looking for life on mars, we haven't even blown the dust away to clear a spot to start scratching the surface. I want to get a better look at the canyons and possible caves.
I remember that. The "discovery" came right around the time Congress was considering cutting funding to NASA.
It looks like we passed "under the radar."
The Viking Labeled Release Experiment and Life on MarsThus, organic compounds surviving this rugged digestion were detected in the soil. They were attributed to kerogen and coal refractory to the GCMS pyrolysis. Biological possibilities were discounted although viable microorganisms have been reported (23) within anthracite coal taken from deep underground. The purpose of the intensive digestion of the Antarctic #726 was not stated. One must wonder what variety of labile organic compounds were present prior to the digestion.
by Gilbert V. Levin
How do you explain this, then?
I remember when it was announced. It was announced with great fanfare the same day Bob Dole made a big campaign announcement-though I forget what the announcement was. Anyway, it was rather convenient to announce LIFE ON MARS!!! that very day. Amazing how the news is manipulated.