(09-28-2015 12:59 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/28/us/mars-nasa-announcement/

Check out the slideshow that asks if there is life on Mars. Very interesting photos about half way down the page.

(09-28-2015 01:35 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  If it is flowing at those temperatures, it ain't water.

Quote:The researchers were able to identify the telltale sign of a hydrated salt at four locations. In addition, the signs of the salt disappeared when the streaks faded. “It’s very definitive there is some sort of liquid water,” Mr. Ojha said.

The perchlorate salts lower the freezing temperature, and the water remains liquid. The average temperature of Mars is about minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but summer days near the Equator can reach an almost balmy 70.

(09-28-2015 12:53 PM)200yrs2late Wrote:  My bags are packed,
I'm ready to go...

(09-29-2015 09:29 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  It's not true...it's a conspiracy. Just ask noted scientist and radio paper weight Rush Limbaugh.

(09-29-2015 10:03 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  If it gets up to 70 in the summer and there is flowing water in some places, i wonder why plants haven't grown?

(09-29-2015 10:26 AM)200yrs2late Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:03 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  If it gets up to 70 in the summer and there is flowing water in some places, i wonder why plants haven't grown?

You can't be serious by asking this question. It takes more than the presence of water to sustain plant life. If in the distant past plant life did exist on Mars, whatever seeds have essentially be in an extreme deep freeze for billions of years. Germination of any surviving seeds would be zero percent. Chemical composition of the atmosphere would be another barrier, as would the density of it. IF seeds existed in the first place, survived, and were present in the areas where evidence of liquid water exist, the salinity of the water detected alone would prevent growth.

(09-29-2015 10:32 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:26 AM)200yrs2late Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:03 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  If it gets up to 70 in the summer and there is flowing water in some places, i wonder why plants haven't grown?

You can't be serious by asking this question. It takes more than the presence of water to sustain plant life. If in the distant past plant life did exist on Mars, whatever seeds have essentially be in an extreme deep freeze for billions of years. Germination of any surviving seeds would be zero percent. Chemical composition of the atmosphere would be another barrier, as would the density of it. IF seeds existed in the first place, survived, and were present in the areas where evidence of liquid water exist, the salinity of the water detected alone would prevent growth.

Then why is this "fueling the possibility of life on the planet"?

(09-29-2015 10:03 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  If it gets up to 70 in the summer and there is flowing water in some places, i wonder why plants haven't grown?

(09-29-2015 10:32 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:26 AM)200yrs2late Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:03 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  If it gets up to 70 in the summer and there is flowing water in some places, i wonder why plants haven't grown?

You can't be serious by asking this question. It takes more than the presence of water to sustain plant life. If in the distant past plant life did exist on Mars, whatever seeds have essentially be in an extreme deep freeze for billions of years. Germination of any surviving seeds would be zero percent. Chemical composition of the atmosphere would be another barrier, as would the density of it. IF seeds existed in the first place, survived, and were present in the areas where evidence of liquid water exist, the salinity of the water detected alone would prevent growth.

Then why is this "fueling the possibility of life on the planet"?

(09-29-2015 02:27 PM)200yrs2late Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:32 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:26 AM)200yrs2late Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:03 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  If it gets up to 70 in the summer and there is flowing water in some places, i wonder why plants haven't grown?

You can't be serious by asking this question. It takes more than the presence of water to sustain plant life. If in the distant past plant life did exist on Mars, whatever seeds have essentially be in an extreme deep freeze for billions of years. Germination of any surviving seeds would be zero percent. Chemical composition of the atmosphere would be another barrier, as would the density of it. IF seeds existed in the first place, survived, and were present in the areas where evidence of liquid water exist, the salinity of the water detected alone would prevent growth.

Then why is this "fueling the possibility of life on the planet"?

Maybe because a sustainable source of water on Mars has long been considered one of the biggest barriers to colonization. The presence of water, even of extreme salination, may eliminate the need to physically transport water or water generating equipment to Mars.

As for past life or even microbes today, if life can exist in the deep oceans at volcanic vents, then there is certainly reason to believe some for of microbes may live in or near, or have lived near the source of the seasonal water flows