NationStates Jolt Archive


The Phoenix Lands on Mars

Nova Castlemilk
27-05-2008, 23:24
So, after a succesful Mars landing, we've already seen some amazing footage of the Polar region. But, will any signs of life, past ot present be found. I think if it's ever going to be possible, it has to be established one way or the other on this occasion. My own (optimistic) view is that signs of life will be detected. If primitive life is or did exist on Mars, then it seems certain that higher forms of life will exist elsewhere in the universe

If so, where does it place our Planet and ourselves in the scheme of things. How will the world's practictioners of superstitious beliefs reconcile this knowledge with their own particular set of beliefs? How much will we as a sentient species change, with the knowledge that we are not alone in this Universe.
Bann-ed
27-05-2008, 23:35
Something was recently landed on Mars?

Wow.. either I don't listen to any news or these things have become commonplace enough that they aren't quite as newsworthy as they used to be.
Liminus
27-05-2008, 23:50
Something was recently landed on Mars?

Wow.. either I don't listen to any news or these things have become commonplace enough that they aren't quite as newsworthy as they used to be.

Probably neither; it just hasn't been covered all that much even though it's a pretty amazing feat.
Nova Castlemilk
27-05-2008, 23:54
Yep, the Phoenix craft is going to dig down below the permafrost, hopefully encountering frzen water, then run various tests to establish if there is any sign of organic elements or primitive life or spores below the ice. The theory is that if life ever existed on Mars, it will still show traces in the samples taken.
Nova Castlemilk
27-05-2008, 23:55
Probably neither; it just hasn't been covered all that much even though it's a pretty amazing feat.
It was covered in the UK, both on the TV news progs and the newspapers.
Andaras
27-05-2008, 23:58
When are we going to have moon colonies?
JuNii
28-05-2008, 00:15
It was covered in the UK, both on the TV news progs and the newspapers.

and all our local stations had it mentioned yesterday.
Bann-ed
28-05-2008, 00:16
It was covered in the UK, both on the TV news progs and the newspapers.

This was a UK thing?

The United States wasn't responsible for the launch/landing?
Nova Castlemilk
28-05-2008, 00:24
This was a UK thing?

The United States wasn't responsible for the launch/landing?

The Brits did have a small role in this (I think), but it is a NASA project.
Liminus
28-05-2008, 00:27
and all our local stations had it mentioned yesterday.

Ah....maybe I just haven't been watching as much television as I thought I was then. I guess that's a good thing or something. =p