FAR from discovering life on Mars, NASA may have put it there.
The US space agency believes the two rover spacecraft scuttling across the red planet are carrying bacteria from Earth. The bacteria, bacillus safensis, were found in a chamber in California that had been used to test the rovers. Officials believe it is likely that some of the microbes, possibly from scientists" skin, were on board when the mission left.
What about a food source required to keep the bacillus safensis alive? Granted they are highly resistant to the various radiations present on Man's future summer home, but they still gotta eat.. yes?
Out of Eden, by Alan Burdick, will be published by
Farrar, Straus and Giroux,
May 18, 2005 | 0-374-21973-7 | $25.00
An excerpt... Simply search for bacillus safensis:
http://aburdick.com/press/OutOfEden_PressKit.pdf
Farrar, Straus and Giroux,
May 18, 2005 | 0-374-21973-7 | $25.00
An excerpt... Simply search for bacillus safensis:
http://aburdick.com/press/OutOfEden_PressKit.pdf
There is plenty of *** on Mars for them to eat.
I wish people would stop posting these things without a direct link to where it was found... How else are we supposed to know that it is authentic??? This could just as easily be a hoax invented by "mikki" himself...
What do they eat? Dust? Radiation? CO2?
Eeh never mind just found the link 
Doh! 
When the official announcement comes that there is life on mars I won't be surprised.
There are so many tantalizing clues that mars has microbial life right now.
Wouldn't surprise me though if NASA (Never A Straight Answer) will claim all of it
came from their missions. I'm hopeful that NASA can become less politically filtered in the near future.
There are so many tantalizing clues that mars has microbial life right now.
Wouldn't surprise me though if NASA (Never A Straight Answer) will claim all of it
came from their missions. I'm hopeful that NASA can become less politically filtered in the near future.
And what about that monument on Mars that looks like a face?
QUOTE
What do they eat? Dust? Radiation? CO2?
Do you remember the Vikings? One of the space crafts found activity--which NASA overruled.
Do you really know what all is on the surface of Mars?
I work with microbes on a daily basis. My job entails developing growth strategies for various organisms. I also have started to develop a university curriculum based on the prospect of using microbes as the initial starting point for developing a sustainable base on Mars.
As to previous comments:
*There is no readily available carbon source for the microbes on mars...no carbon=no growth or reproduction, and eventual death.
*The lack of an electromagnetic field on Mars means that the radiation would essentially instantly kill all microbes. (I use radiation on microbes in my work) Even if the microbes were able to sporalate, the radiation would kill the spores as well, and spores are some of the most resiliant types of life that exist.
*The levels of certain elements in the soil, particularly heavy metals, are highly toxic to microbes.
So, IMHO if we put life there, its not there anymore.
-chris
As to previous comments:
*There is no readily available carbon source for the microbes on mars...no carbon=no growth or reproduction, and eventual death.
*The lack of an electromagnetic field on Mars means that the radiation would essentially instantly kill all microbes. (I use radiation on microbes in my work) Even if the microbes were able to sporalate, the radiation would kill the spores as well, and spores are some of the most resiliant types of life that exist.
*The levels of certain elements in the soil, particularly heavy metals, are highly toxic to microbes.
So, IMHO if we put life there, its not there anymore.
-chris
There is no readily available carbon source for the microbes on mars...no carbon=no growth or reproduction, and eventual death.
-Is it written in stone that life MUST be based upon carbon? Or is that a human arrogance as thats all we see?
The lack of an electromagnetic field on Mars means that the radiation would essentially instantly kill all microbes. (I use radiation on microbes in my work) Even if the microbes were able to sporalate, the radiation would kill the spores as well, and spores are some of the most resiliant types of life that exist.
-What if microbes were able to evolve to accomodate radiation? What then??
The levels of certain elements in the soil, particularly heavy metals, are highly toxic to microbes.
-Again, what if?
Our narrow view of life is just that narrow. I would not discount the possibility of life evolving to such to accomodate any of the above circumstances.
Who would have thought that we owuld find life that the bottom of the ocean adjacent to black smokers??
-Is it written in stone that life MUST be based upon carbon? Or is that a human arrogance as thats all we see?
The lack of an electromagnetic field on Mars means that the radiation would essentially instantly kill all microbes. (I use radiation on microbes in my work) Even if the microbes were able to sporalate, the radiation would kill the spores as well, and spores are some of the most resiliant types of life that exist.
-What if microbes were able to evolve to accomodate radiation? What then??
The levels of certain elements in the soil, particularly heavy metals, are highly toxic to microbes.
-Again, what if?
Our narrow view of life is just that narrow. I would not discount the possibility of life evolving to such to accomodate any of the above circumstances.
Who would have thought that we owuld find life that the bottom of the ocean adjacent to black smokers??
QUOTE (Guest+Jul 20 2005, 05:57 PM)
There is no readily available carbon source for the microbes on mars...no carbon=no growth or reproduction, and eventual death.
-Is it written in stone that life MUST be based upon carbon? Or is that a human arrogance as thats all we see?
The lack of an electromagnetic field on Mars means that the radiation would essentially instantly kill all microbes. (I use radiation on microbes in my work) Even if the microbes were able to sporalate, the radiation would kill the spores as well, and spores are some of the most resiliant types of life that exist.
-What if microbes were able to evolve to accomodate radiation? What then??
The levels of certain elements in the soil, particularly heavy metals, are highly toxic to microbes.
-Again, what if?
Our narrow view of life is just that narrow. I would not discount the possibility of life evolving to such to accomodate any of the above circumstances.
Who would have thought that we owuld find life that the bottom of the ocean adjacent to black smokers??
You need to calm down first of all. Cuder's point was if NASA inadvertantly sent microbes to Mars from Earth they are no longer alive. At least in his opinion.
-Is it written in stone that life MUST be based upon carbon? Or is that a human arrogance as thats all we see?
The lack of an electromagnetic field on Mars means that the radiation would essentially instantly kill all microbes. (I use radiation on microbes in my work) Even if the microbes were able to sporalate, the radiation would kill the spores as well, and spores are some of the most resiliant types of life that exist.
-What if microbes were able to evolve to accomodate radiation? What then??
The levels of certain elements in the soil, particularly heavy metals, are highly toxic to microbes.
-Again, what if?
Our narrow view of life is just that narrow. I would not discount the possibility of life evolving to such to accomodate any of the above circumstances.
Who would have thought that we owuld find life that the bottom of the ocean adjacent to black smokers??
You need to calm down first of all. Cuder's point was if NASA inadvertantly sent microbes to Mars from Earth they are no longer alive. At least in his opinion.
Well, considering the microbes came from earth, have evolved for millions of years based on carbon sources for energy, yes, I would say it's pretty much written in stone. I am not saying that life doesn't exist in other forms, merely stating that an organism that is transported on a rover to Mars would not be able to survive without a carbon source.
The level of radiation is so intense it would kill the microbes immediately. I use relatively low doses of radiation, and it kills 99.99% of microbes in only a minute or two. I then have to cease irradiating them, or they all die. They would all die if I exposed them longer. Considering the relentless bombardment of radiation, I find it very difficult to concieve of any protein-based structures not being denatured.
Obviously, if you want to play devil's advocate on everything someone with extensive knowledge on a subject says, then there's no point to stating anything. The bacteria in question was a Bacillus strain, my specialty. As stated in my original post, under the conditions experienced by the microbes on Mars, it is my humble opinion that they would not survive.
Oh, and as far as life near "black smoker" vents on the ocean floor...didn't surprise me in the least. In fact, it makes a lot of sense.
The level of radiation is so intense it would kill the microbes immediately. I use relatively low doses of radiation, and it kills 99.99% of microbes in only a minute or two. I then have to cease irradiating them, or they all die. They would all die if I exposed them longer. Considering the relentless bombardment of radiation, I find it very difficult to concieve of any protein-based structures not being denatured.
Obviously, if you want to play devil's advocate on everything someone with extensive knowledge on a subject says, then there's no point to stating anything. The bacteria in question was a Bacillus strain, my specialty. As stated in my original post, under the conditions experienced by the microbes on Mars, it is my humble opinion that they would not survive.
Oh, and as far as life near "black smoker" vents on the ocean floor...didn't surprise me in the least. In fact, it makes a lot of sense.
What does it matter that NASA put bacteria on Mars? Columbus brought smallpox with him to the new world and that didn't cause any problems.
Also, didn't life come to Earth from Mars originally from dislodged rocks from a meteor impact? We're just repaying the favor.
Also, didn't life come to Earth from Mars originally from dislodged rocks from a meteor impact? We're just repaying the favor.
The whole point is, if a single one manages to survive somehow and adapts to the eviroment, they would have a place to grow unharmed, just like bugs in a place where their natural predators dont exist. Eco-catastrophe as mars would be taken over by bacteria. What if they evolved by grouping together into larger organisms(isnt that one of the theories about how we came to be?) omg this is hell, martian attacks in no time :S
Would the microbes not have died enroute to Mars, due to the radiation, extreme temps, etc...?
What's Next In Science & Technology
What's Next In Health
Digital Video Experts
Shadows In The Cave
What's Next In Science & Technology
What's Next In Health
Digital Video Experts
Shadows In The Cave
PhysOrg scientific forums are totally dedicated to science, physics, and technology. Besides topical forums such as nanotechnology, quantum physics, silicon and III-V technology, applied physics, materials, space and others, you can also join our news and publications discussions. We also provide an off-topic forum category. If you need specific help on a scientific problem or have a question related to physics or technology, visit the PhysOrg Forums. Here you’ll find experts from various fields online every day.
To quit out of "lo-fi" mode and return to the regular forums, please click here.