Latest Case for Martian Life May Just Be Hot Air

ScienceNOW Daily News ^ | 5 August 2009 | Phil Berardelli

[darth]

I did not invent escape velocity. Newton figured that out.

I was addressing the argument that any microbes found on Mars MUST have come from Earth. The Allen Hills meteorite showed evidence of extreme heat on the exterior. The force required to blast a rock off of Mars at escape velocity would be extreme. Mars gravity is 39% of Earth. Therefore, the energy required would be the difference squared or about 6.5 times more energy to get a rock from Earth up to escape velocity vs. Mars.

Still no takers.

[Mojave]

I did not invent escape velocity.

But you invented the (pointless) claim regarding sterilization.

I was addressing the argument that any microbes found on Mars MUST have come from Earth.

No, were simply denying that challenge to your faith. When asked for a source, you just reiterated your earlier claims.

Therefore, the energy required would be the difference squared or about 6.5 times more energy to get a rock from Earth up to escape velocity vs. Mars.

Again, so what?

Still no takers.

Any microbes found there will have originated here. Assuming that your next "fossil" claim isn't debunked outright like the last one.

DNA analysis will provide proof as to whether microbes on Mars came from Earth or the other way around.

Must be nice to be able to simply invent all of your "facts" out of thin air. How did the "DNA analysis" of the Martian microbe fossils you saw with your "own eyes" turn out? You know, the ones that turned out to actually be magnetite?

[Salman]

I see the anti-science slanderers are coming out again.

So tell me something. Where in the Bible does it say anything about life on Mars either way? And if they find some bacteria or something how is that a secular substitute for God?

Your "God" is a substitute for rational thought and ordinary human decency.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks neverdem. It is widely doubted, but IMO The Viking Labeled Release Experiment and Life on Mars designed by Gilbert V. Levin found it. I've never found the supposed evidence from the supposed Martian meteorites compelling though.

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[count-your-change]

This what the folks that actually studied the Allen Hills meteorite wrote in Science Aug 1996:

“Search for Past Life on Mars: Possible Relic Biogenic Activity in Martian Meteorite ALH84001
David S. McKay, Everett K. Gibson Jr., Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta, Hojatollah Vali, Christopher S. Romanek, Simon J. Clemett, Xavier D. F. Chillier, Claude R. Maechling, Richard N. Zare

Fresh fracture surfaces of the martian meteorite ALH84001 contain abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These fresh fracture surfaces also display carbonate globules. Contamination studies suggest that the PAHs are indigenous to the meteorite. High-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy study of surface textures and internal structures of selected carbonate globules show that the globules contain fine-grained, secondary phases of single-domain magnetite and iron sulfides. The carbonate globules are similar in texture and size to some terrestrial bacterially induced carbonate precipitates. Although inorganic formation is possible, formation of the globules by biogenic processes could explain many of the observed features, including the PAHs. The PAHs, the carbonate globules, and their associated secondary mineral phases and textures could thus be fossil remains of a past martian biota.”

Somewhat different from,

“Those nanofossils are almost identical to certain Earth microbes.”

[Mojave]

I see the anti-science slanderers are coming out again.

No you don't.

So tell me something. Where in the Bible does it say anything about life on Mars either way?

So tell me something. Where is the Bible mentioned in any of my posts?

[Mojave]

Your "God" is a substitute for rational thought and ordinary human decency.

Your God is the Prince of liars.

[darth]

I was referring to a different paper that compared the nanofossils from Allen Hills (f that’s what they were) with Earth nanobacteria fossils found in a core sammple taken 2 miles down in Oregon basalt.

Needless to say, it may be a generation or two before the question of life on Mars is settled. As to origin, Earth or Mars, I await evidence.

I offered the bet because we have extremophiles on Earth that would do just ducky on Mars. I don’t have a belief either way.

[Old Professer]

The other reason is to avoid the loneliness.

[count-your-change]

“I offered the bet because we have extremophiles on Earth that would do just ducky on Mars. I don’t have a belief either way.”

Theres no way to know that unless some earth microbes are taken to Mars and planted.