The soil on Mars has the ability to support life

NASA scientists were astonished to discover that the soil on Mars seems to contain the necessary conditions to support life, although more research is needed to prove it.

Scientists participating in the Phoenix Mars Amphibious Project have found that ice on the planet said, initially analyzing with the ship's experimental tools, that a soil sample was scooped up with your robot's arm. The ship showed more alkaline soil than speculation.

'Basically we have found something that seems to be necessary conditions, ie nutrients to support life, be it past, present or future' , Sam Kounaves, The leader of the Wet Chemistry Laboratory on the Phoenix Ship said.

'It's a type of soil that you can find in your backyard, ie alkaline. You can really grow asparagus on it. That is really fascinating. '

One centimeter of soil has been taken at a depth of about 1 inch below the surface of Mars with pH, ​​or alkalinity at 8 or 9. 'We are all stunned by the data available,' Kounaves said. As for the question of whether there is any doubt about having life on Mars in some form, Kounaves said the results are only preliminary and more analysis is needed.

(Photo: AP)

The $ 420 million Phoenix ship landed in the northernmost region of Mars on May 25, 2008 after a 10-month journey from Earth. This is NASA's most recent attempt to determine if there is water, an essential component of life that once flowed on the planet and whether life, even just in the form of bacteria. exists or has ever existed or not.

According to scientists, last week they obtained definitive evidence of the presence of ice on the planet through photographs taken showing pieces of ice melted.

Analysis of soil samples conducted in the ship's Wet chemistry laboratory showed it to be less acidic than the speculation of many scientists. Soil samples also contain traces of magnesium, sodium, potassium and other elements, scientists said.

"Wet Chemistry" is an advanced technique involving mixing soil samples obtained on Mars with water brought from Earth, with the aim to discover which natural bacteria are on Mars can live, continue to exist and grow on this soil.

According to the scientists, the salt content is moderate and the calcium level seems low but they also warn that the composition of the soil may change at a deeper level below the surface. And now it is not possible to say, what kind of life this land can support for life on Mars.