So it makes headlines when a scientist claims that given the information we already have on Mars, it is conceivable for Terrestrial microbes to live on Mars. Whether that translates into proof there is Martian life on Mars is of course up for debate.
The evidence presented strongly indicates the presence of liquid water or moisture at the Mars Exploration Rover sites," Levin reported at the SPIE meeting. "Mars today could support many forms of terrestrial microbial life."So is this even news? It's headlining at Space.com, so it must be some kind of news. What would happen if we reported that "Democracy *could* exist in Iran. In fact, there are conditions there that could support Democracy that is like our own; but it remains to be seen if Iran could indeed support Democracy of a home-grown kind of variety". If that made headlines... now that would be hilarious.
Other scientists are cautious to point out that the presence of water does not guarantee life. Rather, it means one crucial ingredient exists. There is clear evidence for frost or ice on Mars, the former Viking experimenter stated. At some point of the day -- when temperatures climb above freezing -- there's going to be moisture..."And that's enough to support microorganisms," he said. None of the many new findings about Mars revealed by Spirit and Opportunity, Levin concluded, conflict with, or render untenable, his long-held belief that the Viking Labeled Release experiment in 1976 detected living microorganisms in the soil of Mars.
- Art Neuro
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