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Scientists Look at Martian Salt for Ancient Life

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the would-you-like-fries-with-that dept.

eldavojohn writes "Is there life on Mars? Maybe not, but a better question might be whether or not it has ever existed on Mars? Scientists are claiming that the best indication for this will be in newly found evaporated salt deposits on Mars which they can use to check for cellulose. Here on earth, tiny fuzzy fibers have been found in salt dating back almost 250 million years making it the oldest known evidence of life on earth. Jack Griffith, a microbiologist from UNC, is quoted as saying, 'Cellulose was one of the earliest polymers organisms made during their evolution, so it pops out as the most likely thing you'd find on Mars, if you found anything at all. Looking for it in salt deposits is probably a very good way to go.'"

3 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. You're looking for the wrong thing by Apoorv+Khatreja · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Considering the harsh environmental conditions on Mars, only cockroaches could survive over there.

    So you have to look for those black faecal pellets to find life on Mars.

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    RutSum.com
  2. Re:Salt and astrobiology by QuantumFTL · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Hey Geoffrey, long time no see! Do you still hang around the Boston area? That's where I moved after I got done with the JPL and grad school stuff.

    Do they still have you doing MER work? Will you be on MSL in any capacity?

  3. Re:Do you KNOW what the QUEERS are doing to the SO by Tablizer · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    They're building landing pads for gay Martians!

    Gay Martians are born with their own landing pads. Sheeesh, don't you know anything about space?

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    Table-ized A.I.