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Martian soil may not support life
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ASIANAGE on 05 August, 2008 02:53:31
 
Washington, Aug. 5: Nasa’s Phoenix spacecraft has detected the presence of a
chemically reactive salt in the Martian soil, a finding that if confirmed could
make it less friendly to potential life than once believed.
Scientists previously reported that the soil near Mars’ north pole was
similar to backyard gardens on earth where plants such as asparagus, green beans
and turnips could grow.
But, preliminary results from a second lab test found perchlorate, a highly
oxidising salt, that would create a harsh environment.
On earth, perchlorate is a natural and manmade contaminant sometimes found in
soil and groundwater. It is the main ingredient in solid rocket fuel and can be
found in fireworks, pyrotechnics and other explosives.
It’s unclear how perchlorate forms on Mars or how much there is of it. Nasa
is investigating whether the substance could have gotten there by contamination
before launch.
According to chief scientist Peter Smith of the University of Arizona in
Tucson, the first test suggested earth-like soil. Further analysis has revealed
un-earthlike aspects of the soil chemistry.
Phoenix detected the salt through a chemistry experiment. The lander mixed soil
with water brought from earth into a teacup-size beaker and stirred it. Two
dozen sensors inside the beaker detect the soil’s pH and probe for traces of
mineral nutrients.
The first test determined the soil was slightly alkaline and contained
nutrients such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride necessary for living
things.
The second test found the highly reactive perchlorate.
—ANI
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Oldest Asian primate fossil found in Gujarat
Washington, Aug. 5: Tiny fossilised teeth discovered from an open-pit coal mine
in Gujarat, India, could be the oldest Asian remains ever found of anthropoids,
taking the primate timeline back by almost 10 million years.
The discovery was made by Sunil Bajpai, an earth scientist at the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) who directed excavations at the Vastan lignite
coal mine in western India that unearthed the fossils.
"It’s certainly the oldest anthropoid from Asia and India," said Richard Kay,
a Duke professor of evolutionary anthropology, who is corresponding author of a
report to be published online during the week of August 4 — 8 in Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences. Previous fossil evidence shows primates
were living in North America, Europe and Asia at least 55 million years ago.
—ANI