Surface of Mars an Unlikely Place for Life After 600-Million-Year Drought, Say Scientists

ScienceDaily (Feb. 3, 2012) — Mars may have been arid for more than 600 million years, making it too hostile for any life to survive on the planet's surface, according to researchers who have been carrying out the painstaking task of analysing individual particles of Martian soil. Dr Tom Pike, from Imperial College London, will discuss the team's analysis at a European Space Agency (ESA) meeting on 7 February 2012.

Mars. Mars may have been arid for more than 600 million years, making it too hostile for any life to survive on the planet's surface, according to researchers who have been carrying out the painstaking task of analysing individual particles of Martian soil. (Credit: NASA/Image Processing by Jody Swann/Tammy Becker/Alfred McEwen)

The researchers have spent three years analysing data on Martian soil that was collected during the 2008 NASA Phoenix mission to Mars. Phoenix touched down in the northern arctic region of the planet to search for signs that it was habitable and to analyse ice and soil on the surface.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203092006.htm

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