Physics – Biological Physics
Scientific paper
2007-10-04
Physics
Biological Physics
11 pages and 3 figures
Scientific paper
10.1089/ast.2007.0216
Since Viking has conducted its life detection experiments on Mars, many missions have enhanced our knowledge about the environmental conditions on the Red Planet. However, the Martian surface chemistry and the Viking lander results remain puzzling. Non-biological explanations that favor a strong inorganic oxidant are currently favored (e.g., Mancinelli, 1989; Quinn and Zent, 1999; Klein, 1999, Yen et al., 2000), but problems remain regarding the life time, source, and abundance of that oxidant to account for the Viking observations (Zent and McKay, 1994). Alternatively, a hypothesis favoring the biological origin of a strong oxidizer has recently been advanced (Houtkooper and Schulze-Makuch, 2007). Here, we report about laboratory experiments that simulate the experiments to be conducted by the Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) instrument of the Phoenix lander, which is to descend on Mars in May 2008. Our experiments provide a baseline for an unbiased test for chemical versus biological responses, which can be applied at the time the Phoenix Lander transmits its first results from the Martian surface.
Houtkooper Joop
McKay Chris
Schulze-Makuch Dirk
Turse Carol
No associations
LandOfFree
Testing the Hydrogen Peroxide-Water Hypothesis for Life on Mars with the TEGA instrument on the Phoenix Lander does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Testing the Hydrogen Peroxide-Water Hypothesis for Life on Mars with the TEGA instrument on the Phoenix Lander, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Testing the Hydrogen Peroxide-Water Hypothesis for Life on Mars with the TEGA instrument on the Phoenix Lander will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-563570