Life on Mars hopes raised

BBC News Online ^ | April. 5, 2002 | Dr. David Whitehouse

[RightWhale]

If there's chlorophyl on Mars, it got there from Earth

Why? Do you think so?

[Brett66]

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.

[concerned about politics]

unusual rock formation deep off Cuba's coast could be a sunken city from a previously unknown ancient civilization.

Atlantis ?

[jwalsh07]

Dr Stokers D/A is dropping bits of chlorophyl all over Mars.

[concerned about politics]

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!

[PatrickHenry]

Nothing to get worked up over. Upon a more rigorous examination of the data, it turns out to be only parsley.

[RightWhale]

it turns out to be only parsley

Would it be worth the trouble to go to Mars for salad garnish?

[PatrickHenry]

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.

[Sabertooth]

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.

[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. Maybe my actual experience was somehow vividly communicated to your daughter in her dreams?

Weird!

[fire and forget]

Thanks!

[PatrickHenry]

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.

[fire and forget]

Makes one really conscious of the quantum nature of our universe, doesn't it? :)

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Scientists have found "intriguing" new evidence that may indicate there is life on Mars.

The real question is, "Is there life at the BBC?"

[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.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Aren't those pictures of the lake by John Carter's house?

[RightWhale]

. 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.

[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.

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.

[CRAW]

OOOOOOOOOH...... NO,

Another boarder to watch.... more illegal aligns