astronomy field of study Is There Life on Mars? The Story of the Search for Life on Mars

You know what would be exciting? Finding life on Mars. What is the best evidence we’ve seen for life on the Red Planet?

References:
http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/...
http://www.astrobio.net/news-exclusiv...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorm...

Support us at: http://www.patreon.com/universetoday
More stories at: http://www.universetoday.com/
Follow us on Twitter: @universetoday
Follow us on Tumblr: http://universetoday.tumblr.com/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/universetoday
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+universetoday/
Instagram - http://instagram.com/universetoday

Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com
Karla Thompson - @karlaii
Chad Weber - weber.chad@gmail.com

Perhaps the most important question we can possible ask is, “are we alone in the Universe?”.

And so far, the answer has been, “I don’t know”. I mean, it’s a huge Universe, with hundreds of billions of stars in the Milky Way, and now we learn there are trillions of galaxies in the Universe.

Is there life closer to home? What about in the Solar System?

There are a few existing places we could look for life close to home. Really any place in the Solar System where there’s liquid water. Wherever we find water on Earth, we find life, so it make sense to search for places with liquid water in the Solar System.

I know, I know, life could take all kinds of wonderful forms. Enlightened beings of pure energy, living among us right now. Or maybe space whales on Titan that swim through lakes of ammonia. Beep boop silicon robot lifeforms that calculate the wasted potential of our lives.

Sure, we could search for those things, and we will. Later. We haven’t even got this basic problem done yet. Earth water life? Check! Other water life? No idea.

It turns out, water’s everywhere in the Solar System. In comets and asteroids, on the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, especially Europa or Enceladus.

Or you could look for life on Mars.

Mars is similar to Earth in many ways, however, it’s smaller, has less gravity, a thinner atmosphere. And unfortunately, it’s bone dry. There are vast polar caps of water ice, but they’re frozen solid.

There appears to be briny liquid water underneath the surface, and it occasionally spurts out onto the surface.

Because it’s close and relatively easy to explore, it’s been the place scientists have gone looking for past or current life.

Researchers tried to answer the question with NASA’s twin Viking Landers, which touched down in 1976. The landers were both equipped with three biology experiments. The researchers weren’t kidding around, they were going to nail this question: is there life on Mars?

In the first experiment, they took soil samples from Mars, mixed in a liquid solution with organic and inorganic compounds, and then measured what chemicals were released.

In a second experiment, they put Earth organic compounds into Martian soil, and saw carbon dioxide released.

In the third experiment, they heated Martian soil and saw organic material come out of the soil.

Three experiments, and stuff happened in all three. Stuff! Pretty exciting, right? Unfortunately, there were equally plausible non-biological explanations for each of the results. The astrobiology community wasn’t convinced, and they still fight in brutal cage matches to this day.

It was ambitious, but inconclusive. The worst kind of conclusive.

Researchers found more inconclusive evidence in 1994. Ugh, there’s that word again.

They were studying a meteorite that fell in Antarctica, but came from Mars, based on gas samples taken from inside the rock.

They thought they found evidence of fossilized bacterial life inside the meteorite. But again, there were too many explanations for how the life could have gotten in there from here on Earth. Life found a way… to burrow into a rock from Mars.

NASA learned a powerful lesson from this experience. If they were going to prove life on Mars, they had to go about it carefully and conclusively, building up evidence that had no controversy.

The Spirit and Opportunity Rovers were an example of building up this case cautiously. They were sent to Mars in 2004 to find evidence of water. Not water today, but water in the ancient past. Old water Over the course of several years of exploration, both rovers turned up multiple lines of evidence there was water on the surface of Mars in the ancient past.

They found concretions, tiny pebbles containing iron-rich hematite that forms on Earth in water. They found the mineral gypsum; again, something that’s deposited by water on Earth.

NASA’s Curiosity Rover took this analysis to the next level, arriving in 2012 and searching for evidence that water was on Mars for vast periods of time; long enough for Martian life to evolve.

astronomy field of study Is There Life on Mars? The Story of the Search for Life on Mars
807 Likes	807 Dislikes
36,437 views views	253K followers
Science & Technology	Upload TimePublished on 22 Nov 2016

Related keywords

opportunity rover cost,watershed,gillespie lake phone number,the solar system image,space news in tamil,enceladus ocean,water country,space news nasa,alien covenant cast,martian chronicles,alien life form alf,is there life on mars lyrics,exomars name,fraser cain age,viking mission to mars images,planet fitness locations,planet 13,astronomy domine letra,astronomy news,the solar system planets,mars 2020 rover launch date,mars 2020 rover ticket,fraser cain credentials,science magazine,trace gas orbiter launch,water bill,astronomy tools,mars 2020 rover webcam,gillespie lake camping,spirit rover pictures,universe today podcast,europa santana,curiosity rover last words,spirit rover lifespan,alien life insurance,planet minecraft,curiosity rover wheels,universe 25,life support,aliens fragman,universe today newsletter,europa park,trace gas orbiter results,universe today,the solar system wikipedia,space jam 2 cast,universe today venus,mars life nasa,water park,opportunity rover revived,gillespie lake il real estate,life of pi,alienware,life tv,panspermia autores,mars attacks,curiosity rover selfie,fraser cain wiki,marsha p johnson,astronomy letra,panspermia interestelar,trace gas orbiter no methane,space news moon,universe quotes,fraser cain wikipedia,enceladus pronunciation,mars lifecare,mars rover 2020 name,alienware laptop,universe today pluto,mars rover 2020,solar radiation map mexico,solar radiation management,nasa shirt,aliens and cows font,gillespie lake fishing report,nasal decongestant,mars 2020 rover helicopter,alien and sedition acts,mars 2020 rover pass,solar system model,europa league final,alien 3,solar system map,nasal cavity,solar system coloring pages,panspermia molecular,universe meaning,panspermia caracteristicas,meteorite mars,yellowknife to cambridge bay,earth science regents,panspermia experimentos,universe of obligation,meteorite maroc,spirit rover discoveries,fraser cain bio,fraser cains actor,life like,mars 2020 rover landing site,viking mission life on mars,solar radiation calculator,europa league final 2019,fraser cain book,mars rover dead,mars life discovery,yellowknife bay houseboats,universe tickets,marshmello,universe today jupiter,viking mission photos,science museum london,spirit rover location,yellowknife bay soccer club,mars 2020 rover wheels,spirit rover facts,earthlink webmail,aliens drive me crazy,solar radiation and productivity in tropical ecosystems,enceladus gravity,europass train,planet x,nasa florida,planet fitness membership,martian games,is there life on mars nova,mars rover opportunity,meteorite nakhlite,is there life on mars song cover,yellowknife to cambridge bay flights,science fiction lyrics,nasa lyrics,exomars rover name,trace gas orbiter mission,science daily,aliens vs predator 2,curiosity rover landing,universe today fraser cain,trace gas orbiter mars,europa universalis 4,space news mars,mars 2020 rover live,space mountain,alien definition,martian successor nadesico,solar system scope,life without limits,enceladus mission,exomars wikipedia,universe today book,astronomy metallica,trace gas orbiter news,gillespie lake lots for sale,the solar system how to make,meteorite chondrite,alien vs predator,water bug,curiosity rover facts,mars 2020 rover mission name,universe definition,martian probe,science fiction,astronomy picture of the day,mars life expectancy,life status,aliens vs predator,exomars trace gas orbiter mission,meteorite lonsdaleite,solar system bracelet,fraser cain wife,trace gas orbiter images,universe today news,is there life on mars,nasal congestion,universe today mars,enceladus habitability,exomars trace gas orbiter launch,exomars mision,mars rover s10+,universe today neptune,enceladus distance from the sun,mars rover images nasa,the solar system picture,nasa news,fraser cain podcast,space jam,gillespie lake rules,panspermia dibujo,panspermia significado,panspermia dirigida y molecular,universe age,life is beautiful movie,mars 2020 rover mission,water heater,universe today years of the planets,marshall plan,water dispenser,gillespie lake boating fees,is there life on mars song lyrics,the solar system diagram,enceladus facts,curiosity rover live,viking mission crossword,panspermia pdf,science advances,life is strange,exomars trace gas orbiter,enceladus nasa,science direct elsevier,astronomy domine lyrics,aliens vs. predator requiem,alienware m15,trace gas orbiter methane,astronomy domine tab,trace gas orbiter aerobraking,aliens ne demek,watergate,space news india,mars rover last words,panspermia evolutiva,mars 2020 rover name contest,exomars wiki,martian child imdb,solar radiation map,mars lifestyle pvt ltd,science bits,universe today mercury,meteorites mars,solar radiation shield,solar radiation units,marshall store,gillespie lake fireworks,solar system song,watermelon ciroc,space news articles,martian child elenco,europa hotel sf,spirit rover stuck,is there life on mars song meaning,alien life form movie,exomars parachute,solar system drawing,earthquake now,gillespie lake property for sale,yellowknife to thunder bay flights,exomars landing site,nasa hoodie,curiosity rover twitter,life hacks,exomars schiaparelli,yellowknife bay great slave lake,space news in hindi,spirit rover robot kit,alien isolation,aliens attack colonization spaceship izle,aliens of the deep,martian queen,space jam 2,waterfalls near me,is there life on mars song,yellowknife bay canada map,life is beautiful full movie,europa moon,aliens drive me crazy apk,opportunity rover facts,astronomy reddit,universe sandbox,opportunity rover alive,opportunity rover model,mars life underground,mars life in the past,is there life on mars piano,is there life on mars lyrics meaning,astronomy software,sciencealert,mars life support systems,viking missions to mars stamp value,panspermia origen de la vida,nasa jobs,universe tattoo,opportunity rover landing,alien movies,solar radiation pressure,mars 2020 rover mission name contest,aliens colonial marines türkçe yama,spirit rover launch,fraser cain patreon,fraser cain biography,universe of stories,mars life form,panspermia argumentos en contra,aliens in the attic,earthquake near me,waterpik,spirit rover cartoon,fraser cain youtube,solar system watch,martian movie,martian child trailer,alienstock,planet fitness promo code,science direct,space newsletter,mars rover photos,is there life on mars song watchmen,solar radiation sensor,solar radiation nasa,europass,nasa space center,spirit rover comic,sciences po,yellowknife back bay ice caves,opportunity rover images,alien ant farm,mars rover curiosity,mars rover pictures,mars rover names,exomars 2020 esa,exomars mission,spacex stock,space news websites,meteorite mercury,meteorites for sale,meteorite black beauty,astronomy for dummies pdf,marshall beach,nasacort,enceladus plumes,planet wings,gillespie lake office,spirit rover and opportunity rover,the solar system's biggest junkyard,opportunity rover dead,science hub,universe today saturn,meteorites,science kombat,yellowknife bay floating b&b,europa universalis,nasa astronaut anne mcclain,the solar system with price,spirit rover mars,universe today twitter,space needle,opportunity rover size,space news podcast,the solar system song,viking missions to mars,viking mission christmas,is there life on mars sheet music,is there life on mars youtube,trace gas orbiter wiki,gillespie lake directions,aliens in america,planet fitness,alien resurrection,viking missions goals,astronomy domine chords,meteorites معنى,fraser cain newsletter,the solar system scope,fraser cain twitter,universe today uranus,martian madness,yellowknife bayside bed and breakfast,aliens 2,astronomy lyrics,aliens 3,the solar system draw,aliens 1,is there life on mars chords,planet of the apes,the solar system planets information,life facebook,the solar system origin,spirit rover images,universe background,trace gas orbiter pictures,martiane jaques la flor,earthquake california,astronomy and astrophysics,nasal vestibulitis,marshmallow,panspermia prezi,mars life savers,solar radiation data,universe today logo,viking mission to mars stamp,space center houston,solar radiation finder,eartha kitt,solar system for kids,curiosity rover size,solar radiation arcgis,is there life on mars yahoo,mars 2020 rover name,meteorite iron,universe today app,fraser cain net worth,curiosity rover 3d,curiosity rover lego,space news daily,martian manhunter,marshall ca,gillespie lake bash,astronomy names,the solar system pictures,earth signs,opportunity rover last words,water shoes,planet coaster,enceladus greek mythology,enceladus percy jackson,spirit rover last words,aliens filmi,universe today patreon,curiosity rover launch,europa final,is there life on mars bowie lyrics,europa league,planetarium,martian saucer,nasal polyps,mars 2020 rover design,the solar system map,martian manhunter dc,meteorite mars nakhlite,watermelon,nasa fcu,universe sandbox free,life in a metro,planet zoo,spirit rover nasa,yellowknife bay nwt,curiosity rover cost,mars rover spirit,europa cup,universe today big bang theory,opportunity rover launch,space news app,martian child critica,mars 2020 rover instruments,earth lyrics,panspermia teoria,enceladus destiny 2,martian child,earth lil dicky,opportunity rover birthday,marshalls san jose,curiosity rover power source,exomars 2018,trace gas orbiter (tgo),exomars trace gas orbiter results,martian magazine,fraser cain education,exomars 2016,aliens vs predator game,viking mission to mars video,planet fitness near me,exomars trace gas orbiter (tgo),viking missions crossword clue,opportunity rover last image,fraser cain email,gillespie lake lots,mars life video,is there life on mars cover,earth wind and fire,exomars esa,curiosity rover status,alien perfume,space crime,alien life space movie,yellowknife bay canada,marshawn lynch,yellowknife bay alaska,spacex,universe synonym,opportunity rover status,earth shoes,space news now,mars rover photo,life is beautiful,mars 2020 rover boarding pass,earth fare,mars life found,viking mission 1976,marsai martin,enceladus atmosphere,panspermia para colorear,earthquake bay area,houseboats on yellowknife bay great slave lake nwt,earthquake today,science research,solar system definition,solar radiation in spain,trace gas orbiter exomars,viking mission to mars 15 cent stamp,opportunity rover song,trace gas orbiter esa,aliens colonial marines,nasa houston,space news 2019,the solar system definition,enceladus moon,panspermia dirigida,spirit rover cost,enceladus life,the solar system project,space coast credit union,watercress,mars rover name,enceladus and its geysers,solar radiation spectrum,alien's passport,science en español,mars 2020 rover camera,solar system diagram,is there life on mars aurora,earthgang,astronomy metallica lyrics,opportunity rover meme,space cowboys,life quotes,space news asteroid,lifestyle,panspermia pros y contras,yellowknife back bay,alien life cycle,earthlink,viking mission nasa,nasal spray,europa hotel,marsupial,spirit rover robot,curiosity rover dead,planet hollywood las vegas,exomars 2020,astronomy books,space news reddit,mars rover died,opportunity rover mars,alien covenant,enceladus meaning,panspermia biologia,gillespie lake cabins,astronomy domine,marshall islands,alien registration number,viking mission meaning in hindi,solar system tattoo,spirit rover size,europa report,mars rover instagram,viking missionaries,meteorite market,exomars rover 2020,fraser cain death threats,meteorite معنى,solar radiation measurement,space race,marshall faulk,mars rover landing,is there life on mars quizlet,meteorite lunar,space news uk,http://spacenews.com,spaceballs,mars life water,martian gothic unification,lifebuoy,mars bar,is there life on mars ahs,solar radiation mexico,bayside yellowknife,yellowknife bay water,opportunity rover twitter,gillespie lake cabins for sale,science of the total environment,yellowknife bay houseboats for sale,planet fitness hours,solar radiation arduino,science fiction movies,watermelon calories,fraser cains grange hill,planets,planet smoothie,curiosity rover discoveries,nasa astronauts,gillespie lake office hours,the solar system drawing,europa eyewear,is there life on mars song ahs,mars rover last message,water park near me,trace gas orbiter wikipedia,solar system mobile,exomars orbiter,curiosity rover mars,life movie,solar system to scale,gillespie lake beach,curiosity rover news,earthquake los angeles,meteorite tindouf,life insurance,universe wallpaper,space force,europa hostel,viking mission wiki,science news,water softener,science traduccion,solar system facts,watermelon salad,planet 51,nasa amazon fire,gillespie lake in illinois,exomars lander,is there life on mars meaning,space movies,marshalls,universe towing,alienware monitor,solar system planets,nasa logo,meteorite ring,solar system names,solar radiation database,mars life sciences,space invaders,mars life news,solar system stony brook,opportunity rover pictures,universe appliance,viking mission 1,planet blue,meteorite meaning,mars life possible,martiano,water world,life ok,marsala wine,universe today earth,mars 2020 rover landing,space news australia,martiane,viking mission 2,meteorite impact and dinosaur extinction,viking mission mars 1976,mars rover opportunity selfie,exomars launch,universe pictures,panspermia interplanetaria,gillespie lake swimming,the solar system video,earthquake,marsha edwards,enceladus water,solar system order,space station,alien life essence divinity 2,spacex launch,the solar system information,europa gbf,solar radiation definition,spirit rover landing,trace gas orbiter twitter,space news magazine,marshmello face,science citation index,curiosity yellowknife bay,alien gear,spirit rover landing site,mars life photos,solar system project,alienware area 51m,space shuttle,space camp,curiosity rover nasa,yellowknife bay map,alien life movie,mars 2020 rover build update,astronomy linux,fraser cain astronomy,astronomy wallpaper,panspermia natural,earthbound,opportunity rover comic,planet hollywood,curiosity rover pictures,mars 2020 rover name send,universe dota,exomars tgo,alien life size doll amazon,water bottle,mars life ben bova,marseille,mars life methane,enceladus surface,europa orinda,mars rovers list,live cricket,europa europa,mars life support,gillespie lake bait shop,universe toyota,enceladus moon facts,earthworm sally,