Science is Cool: Water on Mars!

Image from source, MSNBC

Now if they'd only find some Martians!

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The Phoenix spacecraft has tasted Martian water for the first time, scientists reported Thursday.

By melting icy soil in one of its lab instruments, the robot confirmed the presence of frozen water lurking below the Martian permafrost. Until now, evidence of ice in Mars' north pole region has been largely circumstantial. . .

Read more (with video) at: MSNBC

Thanks once again to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Science is Cool: Cosmic Rays Make Mars Hostile?

Gratuitous photo from Bedstory

What's the big deal? Look what cosmic rays did for the Fantastic Four!

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What's keeping us from Mars? Space rays, say experts

Cosmic rays are so dangerous and so poorly understood that people are unlikely to get to Mars or even back to the moon until better ways are found to protect astronauts, experts said on Monday.

And NASA is not properly funding the right experiments to find out how, the National Research Council committee said.

Read more at: ABC News

Science is Cool: Life on Mars?

Images from source, Wikipedia

No, it wasn't Marvin the Martian or The Martian Manhunter, but it could have been life just the same. Even if single-celled organisms once existed on Mars, such a discovery would radically alter our perception of uniqueness here on Earth, wouldn't it? My biggest question: how would religion explain it? It could be fun to watch.

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Image from source, Live Science

Newly Found Martian Salt Deposits Suggest Ancient Life

For the first time, satellite imagery reveals thick Martian salt deposits scattered across the planet's southern surface, which one planetary scientist claims could be sites of ancient life.

The mats of sodium chloride — the same taste-enhancing mineral found on your kitchen table — serve as more evidence of Mars' watery past, and researchers think the briney pools that made them could have been hospitable to life. . .

Read more at: Live Science

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.