Special Note
Ask an Astrobiologist has received more than 2500 questions about Nibiru and 2012, with more than 200 answers posted. Please read a summary of the answers that have already been posted, view a video on these topics, use the search feature and read the FAQ’s before submitting questions on these topics.
-
Question
If the oxidation on the surface of Mars does not have a biological cause, as the Viking experiments suggest, what DOES cause the oxidation?
Until we are able to directly analyze more of the Martian environment, we will not know exactly what has caused the surface oxidation. But because there is no irrefutable evidence that life has ever existed on Mars, we must invoke abiotic processes to explain what we observe. The most plausible mechanism is the reaction of surface matter with photochemically produced atmospheric oxidants. Although this type of oxidation occurs slowly, over geological time it can lead to the type of widespread oxidation that is observed. The presence of oxidized iron minerals gives Mars’ surface its well-known reddish color. The question of oxidation mechanisms on Mars might be resolved by the Mars Atmospheric Oxidant Sensor, which will be one of the instruments aboard the Beagle 2 lander (which itself is part of the European Space Agency’s planned Mars Express Mission to be launched in 2003). Pushker Kharecha Doctoral Student in Geosciences, Penn State University
May 31, 2002
- How frequently are questions answered?
- I asked a question but there was no answer?
- Who is the Astrobiologist answering these questions?
- Will I get an email when my question is answered?
- What college courses should I take to become an astrobiologist?
- How can I get a job as an astrobiologist at NASA?
- Have aliens visited Earth? Are UFOs real?
- Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
- Is it true that the Sun will be in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in December 2012 and that this will cause a pole shift and massive destruction.
- Has NASA discovered life on other worlds?
- Astrobiology Career Path Suggestions
