Life on Mars?

Posted on January 15th, 2009 by Tariq Nelson

Could be…but then again maybe not

Those searching for extraterrestrial life get excited about methane because on Earth it is often a sign of living organisms. Most creatures release methane when they break down food and turn it into energy. Sheep and cows burp it out. Lots of microbes do the bug equivalent.

But methane can be made by geological processes too. Huge amounts of the gas seep from deep ocean vents and from volcanoes without the help of life. What is intriguing is that for similar processes to do this on mars, the planet must be far more geologically active than scientists thought.

Ready to meet a Class Three Civilization

I'm ready to encounter a "Type Three" Civilization. But I suppose microbes are a start

I’m hoping they find some sign of life outside of our planet in my lifetime

Filed under: Science

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6 Responses to “Life on Mars?”

  1. MR, on January 15th, 2009 at 11:47 am Said:

    So the Jinn use mars as a bathroom.

  2. fairuza, on January 15th, 2009 at 12:14 pm Said:

    “I’m ready to encounter a “Type Three” Civilization. But I suppose microbes are a start”

    LOL

    Br. Tariq, were you ever a fan of Art Bell? You just sound like the type.

    I am totally ready for a type 3 encounter myself. I almost I had a chance in Utah back and ‘96 but the darn UFO never landed….just kept hovering.

    Okay, now I gotta go before people think I’m looney….

  3. Peaches, on January 15th, 2009 at 2:24 pm Said:

    I wonder what was that weird rainbow colored amoebic thing my sister and I seen in the sky 30 years ago. Hmmmm… ya never know if those were our friends paying us a visit.

  4. Tariq Nelson, on January 15th, 2009 at 2:33 pm Said:

    @ fairuza

    never was a fan of Art Bell. I don’t believe in crazy conspiracies, but I do find it difficult to believe that we are alone in the vast multiverse

  5. JDsg, on January 16th, 2009 at 2:10 am Said:

    @ Peaches:

    You mean something like this or this? They’re known as “iridescent clouds.”

    @ Tariq:

    As I wrote on my blog earlier today: While I suspect that the methane plumes mentioned are probably of geologic origin, the idea that microorganisms (endoliths) may be living underneath the surface of Mars is not a new one. Certainly the possibility of a biologic origin to some or all of the Martian methane is quite plausible.

    I too find it extremely difficult to believe that we’re alone. Insha’allah, we may very well see life elsewhere within our lifetimes. Remember, when we were kids, getting a good picture of a planet like Mars or Jupiter was stretching the technology at the time. Now there are photos of planets around other stars. We live in interesting times.

  6. Tariq Nelson, on January 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am Said:

    We live in interesting times.

    @ JDsg

    We certainly do. I remember having a book of the solar system when I was young. I used to stare at the planets and imagine what it would be like to visit.

    Our children may see people visiting Mars. Our Grandchildren may see the first phases of terraforming of the planet.

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