Talk:NASA says Martian soil could sustain life

"...their discovery could allow the growing of asparagus on Mars, just like in any ordinary backyard."

Not likely, much to cold on Mars. You'd need greenhouses and heaters probably. You most probably have to bring the water to the plants. The polar regions, where the ice is, are too cold to even late the Phoenix lander survive the winter.

I don't like news like that. Sounds nice and flashy and fails at the most basic of facts. :/ --boo (talk) 00:02, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

replaced with quote from Sam Kounaves. I hope that fixes it. Cheers, --SVTCobra 00:27, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Ah! Much better, I think. Thanks. --boo (talk) 00:57, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Mess

This is a mess. There are two distinctly separate stories in one article and absolutely nothing links them. --Brian McNeil / ^talk 19:53, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Moved second story to new article. Anonymous101 (talk) 20:07, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

THE STORY HAS SEVERAL ERRORS. BELOW IS A CORRECTED VERSION.

Thursday, June 26, 2008 

The scientists behind the Mars Phoenix Lander project announced that the soil on Mars was more alkaline than expected and could sustain life.

Scientists at NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration claimed that they were "flabbergasted" by their discovery on the possibility that life could grow on Martian soil.

Thermal and evolved gas analyzer, will be used to determine if organics are present in Martian soil.
Image: NASA.

"It is the type of soil you would probably have in your back yard, you know, alkaline. You might be able to grow asparagus in it really well. ... It is very exciting for us," said Sam Kounaves, the lead wet chemist at NASA.

The project did not elaborate any further if there was indeed life on Mars, down to the microbe level and instead stated that their discovery was only preliminary and more analysis will be needed.

There was still no evidence in the soil that "would preclude life," and instead of an assumption of a toxic environment, Martian soil is actually, "very friendly."

The discovery was made after the Mars Phoenix Lander scooped up Martian soil and placed it int the MECA Wet Chemistry Lab for analysis. A small lab-in-a-tea-cup that analyzes for solubles like sulfate, potassium, sodium, magnesium, etc. The lander touched down on Mars on May 25, 2008 and has been conducting several survey projects.

Category improvement

{{editprotected}}
"Category:ESA" => "Category:European Space Agency" Van der Hoorn (talk) 15:13, 16 March 2009 (UTC)

Done ♪Tempo di Valse ♪ 19:40, 16 March 2009 (UTC)