Oh.
Never mind.
Posted on 11/28/2009 2:04:30 AM PST by Daffynition
Nasa scientists have produced the most compelling evidence yet that bacterial life exists on Mars.
It showed that microscopic worm-like structures found in a Martian meteorite that hit the Earth 13,000 years ago are almost certainly fossilised bacteria. The so-called bio-morphs are embedded beneath the surface layers of the rock, suggesting that they were already present when the meteorite arrived, rather than being the result of subsequent contamination by Earthly bacteria.
“This is very strong evidence of life on Mars,” said David Mackay, a senior scientist at the Nasa Johnson Space Centre , who was part of the team of scientists that originally investigated the meteorite when it was discovered in 1984.
In a 1996 study of the sample, Dr Mackay and others argued that the microfossils were evidence of life, but sceptics dismissed the claims, saying that similar-shaped structures might not be biological. The new analyses, the product of high resolution electron microscopy, make a strong case for the Allan Hills 84001 Meteorite having carried Martian life to Earth. The microscopes were focused on tiny magnetite crystals present in the surface layers of the meteorite, which have the form of simple bacteria. Some argued that these could be the result of a carbonate breaking down in the heat of the impact.
[snip]
Bill Clinton, then the US President, said of the research in 1997: “It speaks of the possibility of life. If this discovery is confirmed, it will surely be one of the most stunning insights into our Universe that science has ever uncovered. Its implications are as far-reaching and awe-inspiring as can be imagined.”
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Oh.
Never mind.
Can someone please offer an explanation of how they presume to know that a particular rock came from Mars?
Thank you. They state it as gospel, yet my fairly scientific mind can’t understand their certainty on this matter.
Don’t worry, it was peer reviewed. Both in 1996 and now. /sarcasm
Sure there’s life on Mars! Sheila Jackson Leeeee said US astronauts walked around up there, then put an American flag in the ground!
Earth vs Mars! Earth won 20,000 years ago.
Yup.
Something’s up.
Up there, I mean.
There seems to be more and more hubbub about official statements forthcoming re: non-terrestrial life...
David McKay has been beating the Martian Life drum for years and tune is still just as sour.
How do other scientists evaluate his “evidence”?
“Fossil Life in ALH 84001?
These pages are an explanation of the Science paper of Dr. David McKay and his co-workers, where they give evidence that martian bacteria may have lived in the martian meteorite ALH 84001. I’ve tried to organize and review their evidence that ALH 84001 contains fossils and traces of ancient martian life, and also tried to outline some counter-evidence and some likely questions about the evidence. My intention is to present the work of McKay and co-authors even-handedly and nonjudgmentally.
Allan H. Treiman, Lunar and Planetary Institute.
www.lpi.usra.edu/lpi/meteorites/life.html”
Is this the same nasa that is preaching global warmin caused by puny little mankind?
No cred.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.