Term Paper on "Life on Mars"

Term Paper 4 pages (1708 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Life on Mars

The 16 August issue of the Science magazine published an article by a group of scientists led by David Mckay on the discovery of evidence of primitive bacterial life on Mars. This article is based on the examination of a meteorite found in Antarctica and supposed to be from the planet Mars. The reasons to publish such an article were 1) the presence of hydrocarbon similar to breakdown products of dead organisms on Earth, 2) Mineral phases considered to be byproducts of active bacteria and 3) carbonate globules of tiny size, which could be microfossils of primitive bacteria. All these were found in a very small diameter distance. A chronology of dates dating back to about 4.5 billion years gives details about the meteorite, which was ALH84001, which was found in the Allan Hills region of Antarctica in 1984. The chronology of events begins with the original solidification of the igneous rock, the fracture of the rock by meteorite impacts, the deposition of carbonate minerals that allowed primitive bacteria to live in the fractures and the dislodging of a major chunk of the rock which was later ejected to the space. The evidence for life on Mars is found from mineralized fractures in the meteorite found in close proximity. The discovery of plenty of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the surface of fractures which are complex organic molecules generally formed by non-biological factors. The evidence from meteorite ALH84001 suggests possibility of biological origin. (Williams, 2005)

Carol Stroker and Larry Lemke explained to a group of space officials that they have identified strong evidence about the existence of life on Mars these times in hidden caves that are sustained by Water. The report was based on methane signatures and other signs of possible biological activity that was similar to those discovered in the caves on Earth recently. The scientists at NASA are involved in research and have theorized Martian subsurface that it could shelter biological organisms which have developed unusual abilities to exist in extreme conditions. This lead Stroker and a group of U.S. And Spanish researchers to search for subsurface life near the Rio Tinto River called so because of its red tint caused by highly acidic water which dissolves iron. The main aim of the search was to unravel underground microbial ecosystem that might control the chemistry of the environment on the surface. Similar search for life in the Mars may have coincidental effect to that of the search in Rio Tinto to uncover a novel uncharacterized metabolic strategy living in the subsurface. Stroker said that by comparing their search in Rio Tinto with the details collected by ground-based telescope and orbiting space craft have reached conclusions that life exists below the subsurface of Mars. The scientists pointed out that fluctuating methane signatures could be the presence of active underground biosphere and the presence of sulfate jarosite a mineral salt present in Earth in hot springs. NASA is now planning to send a powerful rover to Mars in 2009 to sniff out methane with high sensitivity to further throw light on the findings. (Berger, 2005)

There is a speculation as a result of findings from the meteorite ALH84001 that life could have existed in Mars. An analysis of satellite images has given evidence on the presence of extremophiles on Mars. The biological origin accounts to annual appearance and disappearance of dark dune spots at the polar regions of the planet. Another evidence to prove the existence of life on Mars is the presence of Haloarchaea, which could live on Mars since the atmosphere of Mars has a pressure that is below the triple point of water where freshwater species annot exist. Thus the Mars Exploration Rovers of 2004 focussed to find an evidence of liquid water than to find present or past life on Mars. In the year 2004, it was announced by NASA that the rover Opportunity had found evidence that Mars was a wet planet in the past which gave hope of past life on the planet. However, in December 2006, the images taken by Mars Global Surveyor showed that there was flow of water on the surface of the planet occasionally which was characteriesed by the changes in craters and sediments. The presence of water on Mars was analysed to find possible life on the planet at present or in the past. (Wikipedia, 2007)

The Viking experiment was conducted to find more evidence of life on earth. The Viking landers were sent to Mars in the 1970's to detect organic substance and the presence of organisms of Martian surface. The evidence form Viking experiment gave mixed results. While one experiment found no evidence of organic compounds in the soil other experiment gave positive results. A test conducted by dropping nutrient solution gave immediate positive result. It was concluded that the result was due to the presence of oxides in the soil. Dr. Gilber Levin conducted these experiments and he was convinced that there is life on Mars. Since the debate continues for the evidence for life on Mars, it may be concluded that a trained field geologist with a rock hammer may be send for a human on site exploration for a much better chance of finding evidence of life. A Human to Mars program may be organized as per the opinion of the Mars society. ("ALH84001 - the Life on Mars meteorite," n. d.) telescopic study of Mars in the late 1890 spawned theories on vegetative and a possible intelligent life on Mars. Though this was a popular idea, the poor quality of the data made it plausible. As per their study the poles of Mars were ice locked and it seemed to hold the possible essential matter for life H2O. The question which later arose was the presence of H2O in liquid form. Even till the year 1962, astronomers interpreted the theories that said there was life on Mars. It was studied through spectroscopic date that there were vegetations on the surface of earth. All the above were held good until Mariner 4, the first spacecraft transmitted photographs that showered craters without any sign of considerable vegetation which also measure the atmosphere and temperature that revealed the characteristic of Mars was not suitable for most creatures on Earth. Although certain experiments revealed primitive forms of life on Earth could survive under specific Martian conditions for some time period. The evidence later given by Mariner 6 and 7 gave the information that the atmosphere of Mars was mainly made of Carbon Dioxide. In 1970, all earlier perception gave way to a theory of Mars being lifeless and unsuitable for life which was very much in contrast as considered before. ("Life on Mars - past and present," n. d.)

The geological history of Mars is simpler than Earth's due to its smaller size. The decrease in the internal heat power has reduced geological activity like volcanoes and earthquakes in Mars. The lower gravity of Mars has allowed water on it to escape to space from the Martian surface turning itself to a more drier than the driest desert on Earth. The idea which astronomers drew out in the last 19th and early 20th century through telescope, that linear feature were canals drawn out by intelligent Martians were destroyed with the images sent by spacecraft Mariner that showed an arid Mars without any sign of life. Continued studies of Mars by scientist let them believe that once the planet Mars was rich with ingredients of life with plenty of water, a good atmosphere and when water from Mars reduced, the Martian life went underground where conditions were suitable. Our latest challenge remains to find life in wet place of the planet probable underground to look for recent life wherever they are on Mars. (Dasch; Treiman, 2007) British scientists claim that they have found evidence of life on Mars and also suggest primitive organisms may exist in protected regions of the planet. The British scientists also reported on methane belching bugs which may have lived on the planet some 6,00,000 years ago. ("[MARS]: Bacterial Life Forms," n. d.)

With various conclusions from spacecraft pictures and rovers a true result on the existence of life on Mars has not yet been arrived. It is time to sent human mission to Mars and is the only possible way to do extensive research and investigation to arrive at conclusive result on Life on Mars. If private companies are encouraged to conduct exploration on the subject, we may come out with better results. (Davidson, 1996) the scientists of Johnson Space Centre found evidence that strongly suggested the existence of primitive life more than 3.6 billion year ago. The team is into further investigation about the fact for the scientific community at large to confirm or deny the findings. (Hamilton, 2001) Again there are several institutes promoted to finding about Life on Mars. The SETI institute is one such nonprofit, private organization dedicated to education, scientific research and public outreach. The… READ MORE

How to Reference "Life on Mars" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Ever Life on Mars Term Paper

Life on Mars

Life of man is not only full of basic bare truths as can be evidenced through physical facts, as we may not know all physical facts of… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (2270 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Astronomy / Planets / Solar System

---

Terraforming Mars Is This a Good Idea or a Bad Essay

Terraforming Mars: Is this a good idea or a bad one?

Terraforming mars

Mars is the 4th planet from the sun. It is the 2nd smallest planet in the solar… read more

Essay 5 pages (1463 words) Sources: 5 Topic: Astronomy / Planets / Solar System

---

Meteorite Offers 2-Billion-Year-Old Glimpse of Mars Sindya Research Paper

Meteorite Offers 2-Billion-Year-Old Glimpse of Mars

Sindya Bhanoo, New York Times, 3 January 2013

URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/08/science/space/in-ancient-meteorite-hint-there-was-life-on-mars.html?ref=science&_r=0

The article covers a study led by the University of New Mexico that happened… read more

Research Paper 4 pages (1395 words) Sources: 2 Topic: Astronomy / Planets / Solar System

---

Life Case Study

Life Span Case Study Project: An Analysis of How Computers Have Affected the Lives of Three Different Age Groups

This life span case study project interviewed three individuals from the… read more

Case Study 13 pages (3503 words) Sources: 3 Style: APA Topic: Computers / IT / Internet

---

Compare and Contrast Atmospheres on Mars and Venus to the Earths Term Paper

atmospheres on Mars and Venus and compare and contrast them with the Earth's weather. Mars and Venus are Earth's closest neighbors, and it could be assumed their weather is similar… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1702 words) Sources: 5 Style: MLA Topic: Astronomy / Planets / Solar System

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>