In the early 1900′s, people looked into the night sky and believed there was, or at the very least had been, life on Mars. Intricate canal systems were thought to be seen crisscrossing the planet, and were used as evidence of a wondrous civilization.
But, Mars was millions of miles away, and when we got closer to the Red Planet, starting with NASA′s Mariner 10 mission, we learned much more. Although some still believe they have seen "an ancient city the size of Los Angeles with a geometry of streets and cross roads" ("The Cydonia Complex") or have spotted ancient pyramids and a gigantic face in the Cydonia Complex, scientists discount these reports. Rather than an amazing series of agricultural waterways, or buildings that would rival Egypt, Mars is only a giant desert, which could never support life, or could it?
Table of Contents
- Considering the Possibility of Life on Mars
- Works Cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This text explores the possibility of past and present life on Mars, examining scientific evidence and theories from the early 20th century to present day.
- The historical belief in Martian civilization and its connection to observations of "canal systems" on the planet.
- The scientific evidence for potential life on Mars, including the analysis of Martian meteorites and the search for liquid water.
- The debate surrounding the interpretation of scientific data, specifically regarding the Viking Labeled Release experiment and the presence of oxidants in Martian soil.
- The impact of recent discoveries, such as the presence of water ice and the potential for liquid water, on the possibility of life on Mars.
- The ongoing search for conclusive evidence of life on Mars and its implications for understanding the origins and potential for life beyond Earth.
Chapter Summaries
The text begins by discussing the early 20th century belief in Martian civilization, fueled by observations of supposed canal systems. It then delves into the scientific evidence for potential life on Mars, focusing on the analysis of the Mars rock ALH84001 and the presence of carbonate globules and magnetite within it. The text also explores the debate surrounding the interpretation of data from the Viking Labeled Release experiment, with some scientists suggesting the presence of oxidants as a potential explanation for the positive results.
Keywords
The text focuses on the key topics of life on Mars, scientific evidence, the search for water, Martian meteorites, the Viking Labeled Release experiment, and the debate surrounding the interpretation of scientific data.
- Quote paper
- Kimberly Wylie (Author), 2003, Considering the Possibility of Life on Mars, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/60903
