NASA killed the alleged Marcians

2007/02/18 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Biologia
• Kimika
• Astronautika
• Astronomia

Despite their efforts, they have not yet found life on Mars.

The truth is that even though they have worked hard, no one has yet shown that Mars is alive, neither these two geologists (Schulze-Makuch of the University of Washington and Houtkooper of the University of Liebig). But, if there is life, they propose what it would be like. According to them, given the characteristics of Mars, it is possible that in the cells of their living beings there is not only water, but a mixture of water and oxygenated water.

In fact, on the surface of Mars there is a very oxidizing substance. According to geologists, this substance can be oxygenated water and, in addition, its origin can be biological, that is, produced by living beings. On the other hand, the freezing point of oxygenated water is lower than that of water, so cells based on oxygenated water would not freeze with cold temperatures of Mars.

In addition, this type of cells is sufficient for a certain humidity and on Mars there is hardly any water. And to generate oxygenated water the energy of the Sun can be used, so, according to geologists, the proposed cells would be very adequate to live on Mars.

Destructive experiments

If the presence or presence of such living beings on Mars were admitted, the experiments carried out by the Viking probes would die without leaving a trace. In fact, they designed experiments to look for a life similar to that on Earth. Thus, in the samples collected by the probes, the enriched water was taken from food so that, in the presence of living beings, it could be fed and reproduce. In addition, samples were burned to detect the presence of organic remains.

Thus appears Mars by a probe of Viking on his way. (Photo: NASA)

However, for the cells proposed by geologists, water is poison. Therefore, in that experiment, potential living beings would be drowned. Geologists have simulated the experiment in the laboratory and say that at 10ºC and 50% humidity, cells are able to survive, but in 100% they only survive a few days.

When burned, they would also be destroyed and no remains would remain, since oxygenated water released by cells would remove organic matter. Precisely because of its ability to kill microorganisms, we use oxygenated water to clean the wounds. Something similar would happen, therefore, by releasing oxygenated water from the inside of the cells, so there would be no remnants of them.

Scepticism as the protagonist

A viking probe on the skin of Mars ready for experiments. (Photo: NASA)

Geologists Schulze-Makuch and Houtkooper became interested in the media. And it is not surprising, because the hypothesis is really provocative. However, astronomers present at the congress took it with scepticism. Some of them recognize that living beings based on oxygenated water would die with the experiments carried out by Viking. But that does not mean that there is this kind of life on Mars. In other words, before demonstrating that a murder has been committed, they believe that they should show who had been snatched from life.

However, it is clear that the living beings who seek today are not the same as 30 years ago. It was previously thought that life should be based on carbon, as it happens on Earth. Now life is understood more extensive, so the search is not so limited. The biggest doubt is whether the search will give results.

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