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derro
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Life on Mars? The question is not whether there is life on Mars, but whether life existed on Mars long ago.
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Crackpots are people who get a pet idea into their head and then cannot let it go. They completely lose sight of the science in what they're doing (if they ever had any) and it becomes a religion. They actively deny and turn away from any possible evidence that might falsify their pet idea.derro said:can you explain what is crackpottery?
Today, the "Face" is generally accepted to be an optical illusion, an example of pareidolia.[24] After analysis of the higher resolution Mars Global Surveyor data NASA stated that "a detailed analysis of multiple images of this feature reveals a natural looking Martian hill whose illusory face-like appearance depends on the viewing angle and angle of illumination".[25] Similar optical illusions can be found in the geology of Earth;[26] examples include the Old Man of the Mountain, the Pedra da Gávea, the Old Man of Hoy and the Badlands Guardian.[27]
What looks like trees and small shrubs?derro said:it looks like trees and small shrubs. what is it then?
Sniperman724 said:I believe that there really may have been extra terrestrial life on Mars at one point in the past. There are several observations and samples that contain fossils of microbial life living on Mars at some point.
So what? I consider it highly likely Mars spawned microbial life billions of years ago when it had a habitable environment [liquid water, atmosphere, etc.] as do many scientists.Sniperman724 said:I believe that there really may have been extra terrestrial life on Mars at one point in the past. There are several observations and samples that contain fossils of microbial life living on Mars at some point.
Chronos said:So what? I consider it highly likely Mars spawned microbial life billions of years ago when it had a habitable environment [liquid water, atmosphere, etc.] as do many scientists.
part.You mean meteorite ALH 84001. It is interpreted by some as containing fossils, but there is no general agreement about it.
Yes, there is strong evidence that life may have existed on Mars in the past. NASA's Curiosity rover has found organic molecules, which are the building blocks of life, in Martian rocks. The rover has also detected methane, which is a gas that is produced by living organisms. In addition, there are geological features on Mars that suggest there may have been bodies of water in the past, which is essential for life.
Scientists have used a variety of tools and techniques to find evidence of ancient life on Mars. These include rovers, such as NASA's Curiosity rover, which have analyzed the chemical composition of rocks and soil on the planet. Scientists have also studied images and data from orbiting spacecraft, which have revealed geological features and potential habitats for life. Additionally, meteorites from Mars have been studied, providing insights into the planet's past.
It is difficult to say for certain what kind of life may have existed on Mars, but it is likely that it would have been microbial life. Microorganisms are able to survive in extreme environments, such as those found on Mars, and have been found in similar conditions on Earth. It is possible that more complex organisms may have existed in the past, but there is currently no evidence to support this.
The discovery of evidence of ancient life on Mars is significant because it suggests that life may not be unique to Earth. This has implications for our understanding of the universe and the potential for life to exist on other planets. It also raises questions about the origins of life and how it may have evolved on different planets.
There are several upcoming missions and projects that will continue to study the possibility of ancient life on Mars. NASA's Mars 2020 rover will collect and store samples of Martian rocks and soil, which will be returned to Earth for further analysis. The European Space Agency also has plans for a rover mission to Mars in 2022, and there are ongoing discussions about sending humans to the planet. Additionally, scientists will continue to analyze data and images from previous missions to gather more evidence and insights into the potential for ancient life on Mars.