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Life in Extreme EnvironmentsAlthough the Viking results may indicate that Mars has no life today, there is direct geomorphological evidence that, in the past, Mars had large amounts of liquid water on its surface - possibly due to a thicker atmosphere. From a biological perspective the existence of liquid water, by itself motivates the question of the origin of life on Mars. One of the martian meteorites dates back to this early period and may contain evidence consistent with life. From studies of the Earth's earliest biosphere we know that by 3.5 Gyr. ago, life had originated on Earth and reached a fair degree of biological sophistication. Surface activity and erosion on Earth make it difficult to trace the history of life before the 3.5 Gyr timeframe. Ecosystems in cold, dry locations on Earth - such as the Antarctic - provide examples of how life on Mars might have survived and where to look for fossils.
Document ID
20020051113
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
McKay, Christopher P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Young, Richard E.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Subject Category
Exobiology
Meeting Information
Meeting: Origins Conference
Location: Estes Park, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: May 1, 1997
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-38-82-04
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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