Monday, December 17, 2007

Science current event ( New reasons found that life may have once existed on Mars)


A Martian meteorite called " Allan Hills 84001" was found on earth in the year 1984. The meteorite was known to contain deposits of organic compounds, a class of molecules that contain carbon and hydrogen. A new analysis of the meteorite suggests that the organic compounds were formed because of volcanic activity early in Mars' history. Cooling carbon dioxide and water very rapidly together along with some iron oxide minerals may have resulted in creating basic organic compounds. Scientists say that a similar reaction occured on Earth one million years ago in Svalbard, Norway. Comparisons of organic material in rocks from Svalbard with that in the Martian meteorite suggest the same process that formed the organic matter happened in Svalbard and on Mars. Some scientists also say that the organic compounds were not "Homegrown", meaning the organic material may not have come from Mars. It may have been delivered to Mars by asteroids and other meteorites from the asteroid belt. Some scientists still remain convinced that the organic compounds came from Martian origin. The organic compounds found on the meteorite could have implications on the search for life on Mars. Scientists hope they will find more organic componds in the soil of Mars on future expiditions to Mars.

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