Ammonia on Mars Could Mean Life (BBC) -- This is BIG!

[On the Road]

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 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.

----snip

Ammonia is not a stable molecule in the Martian atmosphere. If it was not replenished in some way, it would only last a few hours before it vanished.



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

I can't believe this hasn't gotten more play. Must be because it came from the European orbiter.

[proud patriot]

1. COOL

:D

[olddem43]

2. One other source could be Martians

peeing on hot volcanoes.

[On the Road]

4. LOL -- I Like That Explanation

I know when I peed on the space heater in 6th grade it certainly caused some burned ammonia vapors.

[Gothmog]

3. This is Big News.

Life on another planet is a big deal. Prior to this, the best that we were hoping for was evidence that there was life on Mars in the past. Now, it is possible that there is currently life on Mars.

[acmavm]

5. Geez, I hope their Christians, or else I guess were gonna have to go

kick some Martian amoeba-type ass.

[enki23]

6. where would it get its water?

.

[psychopomp]

7. Life on Mars is not so far-fetched

Being that they are a close neighbor (relatively) it is possible that a chunk of Earth debris could have seeded Mars long ago...or vice-versa.