Something to Think About When Looking for Fossils on Mars

[centsworth_II]

Warning: Even if we see something like this in one of the MER images, don't assume it was produced by a living thing. Below is posted the image from this article: http://www.physlink.com/News/072704IronTubes.cfm<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[silylene old]

Actually David Stone created them. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Kidding aside, maybe I can get permisson to post some pictures of plating defects we observe at work when we put certain ingredients into plating baths. We can create unusual shapes that look like tubes, corkscrews, Loch Ness monsters, seashells, etc. They are fascinating. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[centsworth_II]

<i>"Actually David Stone created them."</i><br /><br />That one <i>almost</i> went over my head!<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />They do mention objects like these being found in caves, but its not clear if the same process is invovled in the natural formations. <br /><br />They even mention the tube-like formations in the martian meteor purported to contain fossil evidence of bacteria-like life, But those objects are much too small to imagine that they were created by a process involving bubbles. Other non-life processes have been suggested for those objects. In fact, one would have to say the non-life proponents have the upper hand in that argument, from what I've read.<br /><br />Anyway, the point I was trying to make was, even for compelling objects, ones that the most natural response to would be: 'well, of course that's a living -- or formerly living -- thing', it ain't necessarally so. It will take a <i>lot</i> more work to verify: life, or non-life.<br /><br />After all, they're still debating over that martian meteor (ALH84001). And that's here in our best laboratories, not far away on Mars with remote sensors as our only access. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>