Life On Mars Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Life On Mars - Essay ExampleThese organisms rely on chemical substance or geothermal energy instead, and it is likely that organisms living on Mars would have to rely on sources of energy similar to these types of organisms it is very unlikely that there would be any liveliness consecrate on the surface of Mars because the atmosphere contains chemicals known as superoxides, which break down all organic, or carbon-containing molecules, which atomic number 18 the building blocks of life. It is much more likely that if life always was present, or still is there today, that it would be found under the surface.The signs that we use to look for life on Mars ar all establish on knowledge that we have of life on Earth. While any life forms found on Earth may not be remotely similar to those found here, it provides a good beginning point for the search. All living things on Earth contain the element carbon in their structures, and so this if we find this element on Mars it could signify areas in which life may have developed. From looking at at deposits of fossils which chart the history of life on Earth, it can be seen that there are scarce certain environments in which fossils can be preserved, so if a appropriate set of conditions is found on Mars then it may be a good place to look for fossilized life forms.How do we search for lifeThere have been several expeditions carried out to Mars, but so out-of-the-way(prenominal) all by machinery rather than actual people. In the 1970s, a team of scientists, including Dr. Gilbert Levin, sent 2 Viking probes up to the surface of Mars to look for signs of life. They conducted tests on the soil to see if organic materials, and possibly life, were present there at the moment, producing controversial results. Since then we have sent several other probes to conduct exam on the soil, and there are a pair of robots there at the moment - Spirit and Opportunity. As well as conducting tests, these robots have been taking pho tographs that a panel of scientists are studying, which may give moreover clues as to whether life is there at the moment, how likely it is that life has ever been there, and where best to look for any life that may be present. Dr. Gilbert Levin is also one of the scientists currently involved with this expedition. As of however there have been no manned missions to Mars, but this may change in the future, since there are many scientists who back this idea.Current conclusionsAt the moment the question as to whether life is present, or has ever been present, on Mars is largely unanswered. Dr. Gilbert Levin concluded in 1997, from the results of the Viking mission, that there is currently life on Mars, in the form of