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Life on Mars hopes raised
BBC News Online ^
| April. 5, 2002
| Dr. David Whitehouse
Posted on 04/05/2002 11:04:40 AM PST by GeneD
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To: Sabertooth
If there's chlorophyl on Mars, it got there from Earth Why? Do you think so?
To: RadioAstronomer
Some Hungarian scientists made a claim of life currently on Mars based on these MGS photos:
Scientists at NASA contend it's an interesting photo of ice melting, who knows? We could spend billions sending a fleet of probes or billions sending humans to solve the mystery. It's a fascinating place.
42
posted on
04/05/2002 2:58:56 PM PST
by
Brett66
To: scouse
unusual rock formation deep off Cuba's coast could be a sunken city from a previously unknown ancient civilization. Atlantis ?
To: GeneD
Dr Stokers D/A is dropping bits of chlorophyl all over Mars.
44
posted on
04/05/2002 3:00:45 PM PST
by
jwalsh07
To: DrewsDad
He just hit 4 and his imagination is going wild. When our daughter was 4, it was a giant squash. She saw it on the Dinasours Show (with Earl, Robbie..etc.) and couldn't shake it. The squash was too scary!
To: RadioAstronomer
Nothing to get worked up over. Upon a more rigorous examination of the data, it turns out to be only parsley.
To: PatrickHenry
it turns out to be only parsley Would it be worth the trouble to go to Mars for salad garnish?
To: RightWhale
Would it be worth the trouble to go to Mars for salad garnish? Save your money and hang out with me. I throw the stuff away, and you can have all you want.
To: RightWhale
Why? Do you think so? (that if there's chlorophyl on Mars, it got their from Earth)
What do you think the odds are that cholorophyl evolved on Mars first, given that Earth has been much more hospitable to life for over 3 billion years?
What do you think the odds are of cholorophyl evolving independently on two neighboring planets?
We know their are Martian meteorites on the Earth, so it stands to reason that there are Earthian meteorites on Mars.
The odds that blue-green Earthian cyanobacteria could survive the trip are better than the odds for Mars-first or independent cholorphyl evolution.
So: If there is cholorophyl on Mars, it got there from Earth.
To: RayBob
I was attacked by a goose when I was four! Weird! It really was a nightmarish experience that I won't forget. Maybe my actual experience was somehow vividly communicated to your daughter in her dreams?
Weird!
To: RadioAstronomer
Thanks!
To: fire and forget
I was attacked by a goose when I was four! Weird! It really was a nightmarish experience that I won't forget. When I was 40 I had a nightmare that I was goosed. I think all these events are related. Miss Cleo thinks so too.
To: PatrickHenry
Makes one really conscious of the quantum nature of our universe, doesn't it? :)
To: GeneD
Scientists have found "intriguing" new evidence that may indicate there is life on Mars. The real question is, "Is there life at the BBC?"
To: Sabertooth
There are already 3 kinds of such substance on earth. Chlorophyll, hemoglobin, and that green blood that some sea creatures have. It isn't unique. Mars could have a similar substance and could have developed it there. They are all based on metal, iron, magnesium, or copper. The one on Mars, if this proves out, could be based on one of those metals or even another. Mars has all the right stuff, could be better, but it's all there.
To: Brett66
Aren't those pictures of the lake by John Carter's house?
To: PatrickHenry
. I throw the stuff away, and you can have all you want Thanks, there's already enough green things growing in my kitchen. Other colors, too. Now, if they discover beef cattle on Mars, that's a different story.
To: RightWhale
There are already 3 kinds of such substance on earth. Chlorophyll, hemoglobin, and that green blood that some sea creatures have. It isn't unique. Mars could have a similar substance and could have developed it there. They are all based on metal, iron, magnesium, or copper. The one on Mars, if this proves out, could be based on one of those metals or even another. Mars has all the right stuff, could be better, but it's all there.
By "that green blood that some sea creatures have," are you talking about the copper-based blood of cephalopods? Interesting about that... copper-based blood isn't as efficient as iron-based for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. So the really smart mollusks, like squids, octipi, and cuttlefish are just about tapped out as far as evolving higher intelligence. Their blood can't support the type of brain needed, because they're all on the brink of oxygen deprivation anyway.
That's one reason so many aquarists fail at keeping cephalopods.. insufficient dissolved oxyegen in the water. Temperature is onther hurdle.
Anyway, your scenario for some sort of parallel evolution of chlorophyl (or something like it) on Mars isn't impossible, but not bloody likely, IMHO.
I think an Earthian contamination scenario is far more compelling.
Comment #59 Removed by Moderator
To: GeneD
OOOOOOOOOH...... NO,
Another boarder to watch.... more illegal aligns
60
posted on
04/05/2002 3:53:58 PM PST
by
CRAW
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