Viking reviewing results

2000/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

These days we are discussing whether the water of Mars and, perhaps, whether there is or was life. But the debate is not new. In 1976, when the twin Viking probes reached Mars, the researchers had the same question in the head and in search of the answer several trials were conducted.

Although the trial called Labeled Release (LR) detected a possible metabolic activity, the so-called GCMS did not find organic molecules in the same sample. Since there is no life without organic molecules, it was concluded that chemical activity did exist but that biological activity did not exist. But not all researchers unanimously approved the result. And when the two trials were demonstrated in Antarctica, where we know there is life, the LR detected life and the GCMS did not. The second essay, therefore, did not serve to cancel the results of the first.

This is what at least those who defend the existence of life on Mars say, even more so when water remains have now been found. On the other hand, they argue that it has not been possible to give any explanation to the activity detected 25 years ago. The doubt may clarify the Mars Express mission that the European Space Agency will send in 2003 to the red planet.