Re: NASA tests Aberdeenshire find for life on Mars clues
- From: Nebulous <jawe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:28:58 +0000
On Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:02:54 -0500, Cory Bhreckan
<coryvreckan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Nebulous wrote:
On Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:15:05 GMT, "La N" <nilita2004NOSPAM@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8400025.stm
Nasa tests Aberdeenshire find for life on Mars clues
Scientists from space agency Nasa are testing a mineral only found in one
corner of Scotland to see if it can provide clues about life on Mars.
Macaulayite is only believed to exist at a quarry at the foot of Bennachie
in Aberdeenshire.
Researchers think it could be the same mineral which gives the planet its
red colour.
Samples have now been sent to a testing centre in California in an attempt
to verify its presence.
Macaulayite was discovered by researchers from Aberdeen's Macaulay Institute
in the late 1970s.
Tests are being carried out on Macaulayite found in Aberdeenshire
The mineral is formed in the presence of water so if it does occur on the
surface of Mars it could provide proof the planet can sustain life.
It is formed from granite which has been weathered by tropical climates from
before the last Ice Age.
The team which found it was led by mineralogist Jeff Wilson, who is now
retired.
Dr Wilson told BBC Scotland: "It is exciting because this particular mineral
contains water.
"It's a very fine grain mineral and water is bound to the inner surfaces.
"There's been a lot of speculation about the occurrence of water on Mars. We
don't know but it could be associated with this mineral."
The US space agency Nasa is conducting tests on Macaulayite.
Dr Janice Bishop, a Mars specialist from the Search for Extra Terrestrial
Intelligence Institute, said: "All life forms as we know it require liquid
water so if we can actually find periods of time or places on the planet
where there was standing water then the chance of life having formed
increase greatly."
Only limited data has been collected about the surface of Mars, through
orbiters and probe landings.
How much did they pay for it?
If we are the only source in the world it's got to be worth a bob or
two!
Neb
Good thinking, you can use the proceeds to pay for the testing.
P... Pay, did you really say pay? Don't you know we have a hard-earned
reputation to maintain!
Neb
.
- References:
- NASA tests Aberdeenshire find for life on Mars clues
- From: La N
- Re: NASA tests Aberdeenshire find for life on Mars clues
- From: Nebulous
- Re: NASA tests Aberdeenshire find for life on Mars clues
- From: Cory Bhreckan
- NASA tests Aberdeenshire find for life on Mars clues
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