Viking Mars Mission Might Have Missed Life 136
Johan Louwers writes "The Viking mars mission in 1976 might have missed signs of life due to not completely working analysis equipment. GC-MS on the Viking 1976 Mars missions did not detect organic molecules on the Martian surface, even those expected from meteorite bombardment. This result suggested that the Martian regolith might hold a potent oxidant that converts all organic molecules to carbon dioxide rapidly relative to the rate at which they arrive. This conclusion is influencing the design of Mars missions. We reexamine this conclusion in light of what is known about the oxidation of organic compounds generally and the nature of organics likely to come to Mars via meteorite."
Sign of the times. (Score:5, Funny)
missed? (Score:5, Funny)
Obligatory conspiracy theorist answer (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sign of the times. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Obligatory conspiracy theorist answer (Score:4, Funny)
Would "they" be the government or the martians?
Re:Obligatory conspiracy theorist answer (Score:4, Funny)
How rude. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Another remote possibility... (Score:3, Funny)
G'day mate! You've probably ne'er tried any of these mushrooms - here you go. See the 'roo now, mate?
Testing for Life on Mars (Score:3, Funny)
with apologies to Father Guido Sarducci...
Re:missed? (Score:4, Funny)
Typical (Score:4, Funny)
Re:missed? (Score:5, Funny)
Why should there be ANY future missions? (Score:2, Funny)