‘Organics’ Found On Mars, Says New NASA Study
January 8th, 2011 - 8:37 pm ICT by GDBy Ranjan Bhaduri
Jan 8, (THAINDIAN NEWS) A new study that has made space scientists excited indicates trace of life can be found on the soil of Mars. The study has been done on the data derived from the NASA’s Viking landers. The two Viking probes took pace way back in the 1970s and searched for organic molecule on Mars. The landers did not find much to write about except two peculiar chlorine compounds which was dubbed by researchers as cleaning fluid contamination at that time. However, the study says that there could be traces of organics having either non biological or biological origins. A researcher of NASA involved with the study Chris McKay says “This result is saying that there are organic molecules on Mars”. However, he adds that it does not mean that there is life or not. Nevertheless it opens the possibility of looking for traces of organic molecules made by life which does sound really exciting.
NASA’s Phoenix Mars landerfound something in 2008 that helped Chris McKayand his co workers who were led by National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez to re analyze the viking findings. Phoenix Mars lander found perchlorate a chlorine-based chemical at the north pole or mars where it landed. They performed experiment on it and reached the conclusion.
The researchers however have said presence of organics does not necessarily mean presence of life. Organics are found even on asteroids that travel for years in outer space. In august next year Curiosity, the next generation Mars Science Laboratory Rover of NASA will land on Mars. It will also look for traces of organic molecules.
- Missing piece of Mars puzzle may reveal whether life existed on planet - Sep 04, 2010
- Viking discovered organics on Mars: Study - Jan 05, 2011
- NASA robots may be destroying signs of life on Mars - May 25, 2009
- New device unveils more mysteries about Maritan atmosphere - Oct 15, 2010
- NASA declares Phoenix Mars lander dead - May 25, 2010
- NASA's Odyssey spacecraft sets exploration record on Mars - Dec 16, 2010
- Mars shares many similarities with Earth - Jul 03, 2009
- NASA, Microsoft collaborate to 'bring Mars to life' - Jul 13, 2010
- Mars quite similar to planet Earth - Jul 03, 2009
- Mars has natural antifreeze that may keep it running with water - Feb 19, 2009
- Russia wants to join Mars mission - Oct 16, 2011
- Three more missions to Mars planned - Nov 24, 2011
- Is Saturn's moon Titan home to some kind of exotic life form? - Jun 04, 2010
- NASA to launch new mission to Mars Saturday - Nov 24, 2011
- NASA Finds Traces Of Life In One Of Saturn's Moon, Reports Say - Dec 02, 2010
Tags: biological origins, chlorine compounds, chris mckay, fluid contamination, mars science, nasa, nasa study, national autonomous university, national autonomous university of mexico, north pole, organic molecule, organic molecules, perchlorate, phoenix mars lander, rafael navarro, ranjan, science laboratory, space scientists, trace of life, viking probes