Earth rocks on Mars

[centsworth_II]

Take a dose of your favorite relaxant and call me back in the morning.<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[grooble]

knock him out steve. <br /><br />lol <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[centsworth_II]

Uncle!!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[earthseed]

It is not a "breach of scientific rules" to make informed speculation about something that "in fact that has not been shown." It is called a hypothesis, and is how scicence works - make a hypothesis, and gather facts to support or refute it. centsworth_II and I have both provided some support for the sub-surface life hypothesis, but have never claimed it as fact, or even that it is all that likely. Just reasonably possible. On the other hand, stevehw33 has not given any reasons why the sub-surface cannot be habitable.<br /><br />This is not a false assignment of burden of proof. If we were talking about the Moon, I could give reasons why it cannot support life below its surface or anywhere else. It is not a question of proof, only support for two competing hypotheses.<br /><br />If centsworth_II is a "exobiophiliotic" (which I do not think), what is the word for someone with such a strong belief in the lack of life that he claims certainty when it is not there? I see more emotion in stevehw33's statements than any others - is that a "political" agenda to support "wishful thinking" that life on Earth is unique?<br /><br />I think there is no place for these accusations. Yes, "the universe IS what it is." So lets stick to evidence. If there are reasons Mars cannot support sub-surface life, I would like to hear them.

 

[najab]

I'd be interested to see it too. Given the recent thread in which I had great difficulty getting stevehw33 to back up a statement which was testable and countable, I doubt you'll get any supporting evidence for one that is non-testable. (At least none that isn't made up).

 

[najab]

><i>Life is exceedingly unlikely outside of the earth in our solar system.</i><p>So, what you're saying if I read you correctly, is that there is a slim possiblity that life may be found elsewhere in the Solar System? That it cannot be ruled out?</p>

 

[earthseed]

stevehw33 - I am not asking you to prove a negative. That would be completely unreasonable. Nor can I prove the positive, as there is presently absolutely no evidence that life exists or has ever existed on Mars.<br /><br />It is not about proof at all. There is room in science for a hypothesis that is beyond proof for the moment, as long at it is in principle provable in the future. It should be possible to give evidence for or against that hypothesis. You seem to feel that the very act of discussing it gives it credibility that it does not deserve. I can understand that attitute for endless UFO claims, but not for the scientifically reasonable (however unlikely) idea that there <i>could</i> be life below the surface of Mars.<br /><br />I think life on Mars is unlikely for the following reasons:<br /><br />(1) Anaerobic bacteria on Earth almost all produce gases as a result of their respiration such as NO₂, H₂S, CH₄, etc. These gases have not been detected, or in very small quantities that can be explained by non-biogenic proceses. Therefore any life must be sparse, or it operates on principles unknown on Earth.<br /><br />(2) Life requires liquid water, therefore warmth. The water now seems to be a given, but warmth depends on geothermal heat. None has been detected on the surface by satellites, but there is some evidence that volcanic activity occured in the geologically recent past. Again, a requirement for life is sporadic if it exists at all.<br /><br />(3) Given liquid water, it may appear the Mars has conditions that could support bacteria known to exist on Earth. There may be other requirements that are not met. If so, I do not know that they are.<br /><br />(4) Given that conditions are present such that bacteria could exist below the surface, they have to get there somehow. Despite intensive study, we still