Curiosity Comes Up Short
-A view of the surface of Mars.
Article: Life on Mars? Well, Maybe Not
The notion of life on another planet has been something that has mystified people for centuries. Countless novels, movies, and other forms of media have been dedicated to the existence of aliens and possible life on other planets, such as mars. People have dedicated their lives to solidifying the existence of these extraterrestrial beings. With the launch of NASA’s rover ‘Curiosity’, which cost over billions of dollars, the sensation of space was sparked once again. Many would hope the advanced technology would finally reveal and make contact with life, and would take the ‘fiction’ out of science fiction.
The current verdict, however? Instead of confirming the livid imaginations of space enthusiasts, Curiosity seems to have done just the opposite—having found no signs of methane so far. Methane is one of the most sure fire signs of life that we are familiar with. In the article, Dr. Atreya stats that, so far, “It just isn’t there.”
Mars was one of the best candidates for housing life forms. The article states that in 2003, large amounts of methane were coming from Mars, which incited newfound scientific interests.
The most puzzling aspect is how methane could be released in such large amounts, and then disappear in such an amount of time. Dr. Mumma of NASA states, “Mars may not be operating the same way [As Earth].”
Despite this disheartening news, there are still many who hold firm in their beliefs. Robert Zubrin of the Mars Society, which is dedicated to exploration and settlement on Mars, is “…still convinced that Martian life was waiting to be discovered in underground aquifers.”
It’s amazing that science has brought us as far as another planet, all the way across space. The leaps and bounds of humanity in science are things that may never have been predicated before, as the secrets of the universe are slowly uncovered. However, the more we discover, the more questions seem to rise as a result. One wonders what would occur when and if life on Mars is discovered, or Mars is found to be hospitable. The possibilities are limitless, as the ability of science to turn fiction into fact is one of its most alluring aspects.