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Is there life on Mars?

posted Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 4:11pm

See more on: Blogs, Science

This question has tantalized scientists for decades. Tonight at 7, "NOVA" goes behind the scenes of recent NASA missions to Mars and explores all the latest discoveries.

"NOVA" online has a wide range of material on the topic. Read Twitter feeds from Phoenix, the rovers and the Mars Science Lab; see incredible images of the surface of Mars; explore the anatomy of a rover; and find out what it was like to film alongside one.

For more on the Mars missions, check out this NASA website.

So, where do you stand: Do you think there is life on Mars? Cast your vote in our online poll and let us know what you think. Comments from skeptics most welcome.

If you miss tonight's "NOVA," you can watch the full episode (and others) online at pbs.org/wgbh/nova/.

-Elizabeth Mayer, RMPBS

Dec 30, 2008 9:53am to Sep 13, 2009 7:47pm

Tune In

Nova
"Is There Life on Mars?"

What's your point of view?

Ann Eckman
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 › 1:45pm
I do believe that there is life on Mars although microscopic now. I do believe that at one time, or in the future through
colonization or evolution there may be again.

Robert Zsidisin
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 › 5:42pm
There is "not" the type of life that could suport human colonization. I think colonization of Mars is impractical and not cost effective. Man needs an "earth like" planet
to colonize. I am positive that there is such a planet.

Stu Walker
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 › 9:11am
It is good to know, for certain, that there is water on Mars and that conditions could exist to support life. The Phoenix mission is the first to verify that information. Most scientists know that our Sun will someday grow and make life on earth untenable. We, as the human race, will have to colonize and terra-form Mars if we are to survive as a species. Mars is the next logical stepping stone towards, what may become, a colonization of our solar system and, perhaps, beyond. Thank you Phoenix...

Sig Bjornson
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 › 9:22am
Why is the discussion about "life" on Mars (or anywhere really) always water-based human form? Are we humans so naive (or stupid, actually pompous) to really believe life can only exist in our "form"?

Nick Northrop
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 › 4:11pm
Robert is right, colonization of Mars is not cost effective in the forseeable future. Colonization should be through Space Stations built from materials on the asteroids, Jovan moons and our moon. The stations could be large enough to spin for gravity and be multifuntional. Mankind needs to master space itself, not just another planet.

Stu Walker
Friday, January 2, 2009 › 7:53pm
Now that we know there is water on Mars, should we send a tera-forming experiment? Designs exist for science stations that could stage an inflatable biosphere where on site experiments can be made to generate oxygen and create an atmosphere. Problem is it would have to be set up near water, which seems to be concentrated at the poles where, there is less light, hence less power and a harsher climate.
It would cost upwards of $2B dollars to do it right, a small (Micro-sat) short term test could be done for as little as $400-$600M or maybe less.
Do you think we should send an experiment of this type to Mars??

Me
Saturday, January 3, 2009 › 7:16am
There is no life on Mars. There won't be life on Mars. And we should not send people to Mars.

David Bella
Saturday, January 3, 2009 › 10:38am
If there is any life on Mars it came from Earth. Either we accidently brought it or microbes in the upper atmosphere were blown to Mars by the solar wind. I do not believe it originated on its own. I would like to see us explore Mars and establish a colony if that's possible.

joe 6 pack
Monday, January 5, 2009 › 7:23am
if there were life on mars man would have already found a way to exploit it and if possible make money from it. the liberals would be clammering to extend social services and to pass some kind of amnesty for (it), (them), just in case something or someone found its way through our impenetrable border security. we may want to consider looking for life real hard though, because it could mean another source of tax revenue. GOD help the creatures of distant planets if earthlings ever get to them.

Me
Saturday, January 3, 2009 › 7:16am
There is no life on Mars. There won't be life on Mars. And we should not send people to Mars.