New Findings On Martian Meteorite Point to Microbial Life

[Ichingcarpenter]

Scientists caused quite a stir in 1996 when they announced a meteorite had been found in Antarctica that might contain evidence for microscopic fossils of Martian bacteria. While subsequent studies of the now famous Alan Hills Meteorite shot down theories that the Mars rock held fossilized alien life, both sides debated the issue and the meteorite is still being studied. Now, Craig Covault in Spaceflightnow.com reports that a new look at ALH84001 provides "evidence that supports the existence of life on the surface of Mars, or in subsurface water pools, early in the planet's history." Covault says we can expect a public announcement by NASA Headquarters within a few days.

Research using a more advanced High Resolution Electron Microscopy than was in existence when the initial findings were made 13 years ago has provided the new evidence. Covault reported that the "laboratory sensors are being focused directly on carbonate discs and associated tiny magnetite crystals present inside the meteorite Allen Hills ALH 84001." The data reveal information that counters a "wide range of opposing theories as to why the finding should not be supported as biological in origin."
The new findings were reported in the November issue of the respected journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, the journal of the Geochemical and Meteoritic Society.

http://www.universetoday.com/2009/11/25/new-findings-on-alan-hills-meteorite-point-to-microbial-life/

[intaglio]

1. Thanks for this

I recall seeing reports that much magnetite ore is biological in origin and if this is true for a uniquely Martian lifeform then the metabolism of iron would appear to be an easily evolved process.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Mars died from an impact 4 billion years ago

It was more viable and living
than earth was back then

To bad they can't get any DNA from the sample......

I suspect in years we will get results from Mars
that their ancient DNA is a part of our human genome

I thought this was big news.... bigger than most these days

[cowcommander]

3. DNA can't last that long

IIRC, it only lasts less than a million years before it's just simply too degraded to be recognizable.

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. I know DNA is degraded unrecognizable after time but

I think on Mars somewhere there is microbial life still alive
and when they do find it on mars years down the road
we might find we have a little martian in us

[Phoonzang]

5. I knew the skeptics were too quick to shit all over that discovery.

Some people just love to throw cold water on interesting discoveries (i.e. the Homo floresiensis debate).

[joshcryer]

6. Extraoridinary claims and all. Fortunately this new info seems to refute the last few objections.

Meaning that this is pretty freaking crazy awesome... for years I had doubts about life on Mars. Always on the fence, of course, but now I am somewhat on the side of the fence that says "yep."