In a wet chemistry test performed as a part of the NASA Phoenix Lander’s mission revealed that the Martian soil is slightly alkalaine and contains enough different minereals that it could support Earthly plants and possibly microbes beneathe the Martian surface.
Scientists are reporting that the soil has a pH level between 8 and 9-about the same as seawater or baking soda in alkalinity. The soil also contains magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Further investigation shall reveal whether or not it contains chemicals such as nitrogen and sulfates. These findings imply that life could survive below the surface where it would be protected from UV rays and harsh oxidants known to accumulate on the top layer of soil.
The lead researcher for Phoenix’s Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA) instrument, Michael Hecht said it would be safe to sprinkle a spoonful of the soil on your breakfast cereal-gritty, but safe. MECA co-investigator Samuel Kounaves, chemist at Tufts University, has been cited saying, “If you had it on Earth, you could grow something, no problem.”
Hecht went on to say that if astronauts were to set up a greenhouse on Mars, they might have the ability to grow plants that thrive in basic soil, such as asparagus, greenbeans, and turnips. Fruits, such as strawberries and blueberries would be unlikely as they require more acidic soil.
The scientists gathered this information when Phoenix’s robotic arm placed 0.06 cubic inch of soil from their current dig site (called Wonderland) into MECA’s wet chemistry experiment. A small block of ice from Earth was then melted and the soil was dropped in the water for analysis. “We’re making mud, we’re stirring it up, we’re measuring it with sensors,” Hecht said.
Researchers are currently trying to determine whether similar mud exists or previously existed at the site. Phoenix scientists reported they had finished heating their first soil sample with another instrument, the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA), bringing them closer to an answer.
As expected, there was no evidence of ice found since the sample came from the top layer of soil, where any ice would have quickly evaporated. TEGA did, however, produce a small amount of water vapor as well as carbon dioxide, leading scientists to believe that the soil was once exposed to liquid water. This further confirms the findings of Spirit and Opportunity (the Mars Rovers) which found minerals formed in the presence of water.
Phoenix scientists hope to use such data to determine where and when Martian life might find (or had found) a moist refuge. They are not certain whether the soil baked in TEGA has long been at its present location or whether winds may have blown it there from elsewhere on the planet.
The findings also do not yet paint a picture of the soil at different depths and locations. “It’s only part of the story,” Kounaves said. “We’ll have to see the rest of the story.”
Tags: Astronomy, Extraterrestrial, Life on Mars, Mars, Phoenix, Physics, Planets, Rovers, Space
June 30, 2008 at 2:04 pm |
Yaknow this reminds me of something else you’ve told me. The chance of something in one place is small, but spread out over many places the probability increases exponentially.
And the universe is huge, so the probability of another life form is that much higher.
I think it’s much more than possible, I think it’s quite likely there is alien life there, along with a lot of other places in the universe.
Looks like this blog is on its way up as well, congrats
July 1, 2008 at 9:11 pm |
Yea, that’s what I try to explain to people. Good thinking T
And thanks btw