So, there's no little green men?
If I understand this correctly, asteroids, comets, and meteors that hit the earth DO CONTAIN cosmic debris, including water and various elements.
The aforementioned meteor found in Antarctica was preserved on the frozen continent. The meteor from Mars left that planet after some form of catastrophic collision. The question concerning the bacteria is whether it is from earth or from Mars.
Scientists have studied the meteor and found the meteor is from Mars based on what we've learned about the planet. Because science cannot be 100% sure--by the very definition of science always learning--it is presented with an assumption (of a certain percentage) that the bacteria is Martian.
If the bacteria proves to be martian, the question scientists then ask is, how much of earth's life started on earth and how much came from some other planet, moon, star, or wherever? How much of earth's water came from earth and how much came from an impact from comets?
Bacteria does not mean there were Martians, just that Mars contains bacteria. It also makes it clear, if proven with greater certanty that bacteria is martian, that bacteria, viri, viroids, etc. could travel certain distances in so-called "lifeless" space.
Correct me if I'm wrong on anything here...
alas:
After 10 years, few believe life on Mars
AP on Yahoo | 8/5/06 | Matt Crenson - ap
Posted on 08/05/2006 8:08:08 PM EDT by NormsRevenge
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1678492/posts
I'm waiting for proof we have rocks from Mars on earth.
space ping