Ammonia may have been found in Mars' atmosphere-Life signature?

[n2doc]

Ammonia on Mars could mean life
By Dr David Whitehouse
BBC News Online science editor


Ammonia may have been found in Mars' atmosphere which some scientists say could indicate life on the Red Planet.

Researchers say its spectral signature has been tentatively detected by sensors on board the European Space Agency's orbiting Mars Express craft.

Ammonia survives for only a short time in the Martian atmosphere so if it really does exist it must be getting constantly replenished.

There are two possible sources: either active volcanoes, none of which have been found yet on Mars, or microbes.

more:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3896335.stm


If confirmed, this is big news. There is no way ammonia is produced by other reactions in Mars's type of environment. Volcanos or Hydrothermal systems also would be excellent places for life there.

[Deja Q]

1. And here are some of the life forms found on Mars:

[Phoonzang]

2. If the life is only near volcanos or hydrothermal systems

our little tinkertoy probes will never find it. The only way to truly confirm life would be to send people.

[tinrobot]

3. The evidence keeps piling up.

All you need for life is water and energy.

We just found water, we're pretty sure there was lots more water in the past, and there is still energy in the form of sunlight and perhaps geothermal.

I'd be surprised if we don't find life on Mars.