Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Search For Life On Mars?

Search For Life On Mars?

November 09, 1998

ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS NOTICE
Date: 9 November 1998
For immediate release

Ref. PN 98/22




Issued by:
Peter Bond
RAS Space Science Advisor
Phone: +44 (0)1483-268672
Fax: +44 (0)1483-274047
E-mail: 100604.1111@compuserve.com

www.ras.org.uk/ras/press/press.htm

The Search for Life on Mars?

The symposium will be held 09.30 - 17.15 in the BIS HQ at 27/29 South
Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ on Wednesday 11 November 1998. The
programme includes the following presentations:

* Dr. Julian Hiscox (Mariner Space Systems) : The Habitability of Mars.
There were many similarities between the environments on the early Earth
and early Mars. If life evolved on Earth during this period, what is the
possibility that life also took a toehold on Mars?

* Richard Taylor (Probability Research Group) : Life On Mars - A Historical
Perspective.
Our understanding of the Martian environment has changed dramatically as
new information has been returned by robotic spacecraft. The significance of
these missions, which culminated in the Mariner 9 and Viking projects, will be
reviewed.

* Prof. Michael Russell (University of Glasgow) : A Hydrothermal Origin Of
Life On Mars?
Recent discoveries show that lifeforms on Earth can obtain energy from many
different sources. Did Martian organisms evolve close to hot, hydrothermal
vents in an early Martian ocean more than 4 billion years ago?

* Dr. Don Cowan (University College, London) : Life In Extreme Thermal
Environments.
The study of organisms which can survive in extremely hot or cold
environments can provide pointers as to where to look for such habitats on Mars.

* Dr. David Wynn-Williams (British Antarctic Survey) : Antarctica As A
Model For Ancient Mars.
Mars is a cold world which has dried out over billions of years. Analogues
of the differing conditions on Mars can be found in Antarctica.

* Dr. Monica Grady (Natural History Museum, London) : The Search For Life
In ALH84001.
13 rocks from Mars have been blasted into space by impacts and found their
way to Earth as meteorites. Suggestions that one of these, ALH84001, may
contain evidence of primitive life continue to divide scientists. Where does the
debate currently stand?

* Prof. Howell Edwards (University of Bradford) : Raman Spectroscopy For
Exobiological Prospecting.
One technique for finding biological molecules on Mars is Raman
spectroscopy. How could this be used on robotic landers sent to search for Martian life?

* Dr. David Fearn (Defence Evaluation Research Agency) : Low Cost Ion
Propulsion.
The substantial cost of sending probes to Mars can be reduced by sending
smaller spacecraft equipped with innovative, low-cost technology such as
ion propulsion.

Notes for Editors.
Two years ago, a team of American scientists announced that they had
discovered strong evidence for the existence of primitive life on Mars in
meteorite ALH84001. Since then, the Mars Pathfinder has landed on the
planet and Mars Global Surveyor has begun to image the surface in unprecedented detail. Furthermore, the detection of at least a dozen planets orbiting distant stars has provided growing evidence that planetary systems are very common in our Galaxy. New generation instruments and space observatories, which may detect small, Earthlike planets suitable for the evolution of life as we know it, are already under development in Europe and the United States.

In order to bring together the necessary expertise to answer outstanding
questions about extraterrestrial life, UK scientists from many of the
traditional disciplines have recently joined to participate in a revolutionary new
scientific endeavour - the study of exobiology or life beyond Earth. The BIS symposium is a follow-up to the first UK Exobiology Workshop which was held in London on 14 September 1998.

A book entitled Life On Mars will be published next spring by the British
Interplanetary Society. The eight papers from the above symposium will be
included among the 15 chapters in the book.

For further information contact:
Shirley Jones,
Executive Secretary,
British Interplanetary Society,
27/29 South Lambeth Road,
London
SW8 1SZ
Tel: +44 (0)171-735-3160
Fax: +44 (0)171-820-1504
E-mail: bis.bis@virgin.net

or refer to the BIS web site at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/bis.bis/Bis.htm


Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)



Science Research Departments



Earth Science

Alternative Energy  |   Anthropology and Archaeology  |   Earthquakes and Volcanoes  |   Environment and Nature News  |   Global Warming  |   High-Energy and Particle Physics  |   Ozone Hole  |   Scientists Slow Light  |   Tsunami


Space Science

Astronomy and Space News  |   Black Holes  |   Chandra X-Ray Observatory  |   Extrasolar Planets  |   Hubble Telescope  |   International Space Station  |   Jupiter Galileo Mission  |   Jupiter Cassini Mission Flyby  |   Mars Exploration  |   Mars Odyssey 2001  |   Mars Global Surveyor  |   Mars Polar Lander  |   Mars Climate Orbiter  |   Mars Pathfinder  |   Meteors and Asteroids  |   Mir Space Station  |   NEAR Asteroid Probe Mission  |   Pluto Planet Debate |   Search for Extraterrestrial Life  |   Space Shuttle Program  |   Space Shuttle Mission: STS-102  |   Space Weather


Life Science

Animal News  |   Biotechnology and Genetics  |   Brain Research  |   Human Cloning  |   Dinosaur and Fossil Discoveries  |   Endangered Species  |   Gene Therapy  |   Genetically Modified Food  |   Stem Cell Research  |   Whales and Whaling
Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists

Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists
by Scientific Explorer

Mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano.  Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own.  Play with sand that never gets wet.  Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You'll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions.



The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)

The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)
by Tom Robinson (Author)

Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space.

You'll discover answers to questions like:
Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing into it?
What is inside coins?
Can a magnet ever be "turned off"?
Do toilets always flush in the same direction?
Can a swimming pool be cleaned with just the breath of one person?

Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms...

Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things

Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things
by Scientific Explorer

Grow your own friendly germs and fuzzy molds. Mix up a batch of coagulating fake blood. Even make a stinky intestine. learn the science behind unmentionable bodily functions while doing some truly NASTY Experiments.  Ages 8+



The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic)

The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic)
by National Geographic (Author), Marshall Brain (Foreword)

A delight for the casual reader, yet so complete and wide-ranging that science buffs and students will welcome it, The Science Book encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one richly illustrated volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, and the most up-to-date investigations are explained in detailed text, and 2,000 vivid illustrations—including 3-D graphics and pictograms—make the information even more accessible and amazing to discover.

The Science Book offers both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader and more specific information for those seeking deeper insight into a particular subject. Six major sections, ranging from the universe and planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, encompass everything from microscopic life...

Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit

Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit
by Scientific Explorer

Cast real smoke from your fingertips, make a wizard wand, and whip up color-changing potions in your test tube laboratory. Also included are laminated cards with wizard facts, an instruction booklet with 11 activities, lab equipment, and mysterious wizard powders that will mix together to mystify you!



Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit

Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit
by Young Scientist Club

The Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the human body with these breathtaking experiments. Young Scientists bend bones, make joints, map taste buds, expand lungs, build a stethoscope, measure lung capacities and heart rates, perform the iodine starch test, spin glitter, simulate synovial fluid, create a human body poster, and much, much more! This exciting kit includes a life-size poster with eight sheets of body part stickers. So put on your seat belts, students, and get ready to discover The Human Body!

The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6

The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6
by School Specialty Publishing (Author)

The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills!

Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review.

Over 4 million in print! The best-selling Complete Book series offers a full complement of instruction, activities, and information about a single topic or subject area. Containing over 30 titles and encompassing preschool to grade 8 this series helps children succeed in every subject area!

...

Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit

Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit
by Scientific Explorer

Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you’ll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more—all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry happen in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste.



What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)

What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)
by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author), Paul Meisel (Author)

Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations.



Scientific Explorer's Spa Science Chemistry Kit

Scientific Explorer's Spa Science Chemistry Kit
by Scientific Explorer

Whip your bath into a frothy fizzing sea of color and fragrance. Make colorful, fragrant bath gels, bath fizzers, spa lotion, bath balm, a face mask, and shampoo. Mix colors and fragrances to creat your own product line with secret and exclusive mixtures. Explore the science of gels, fragrance and fizzers.

Mixing fragrances in the bathtub is a delight for both girls and boys. It’s one of the best ways to introduce them to the fun of science. Kids will spend hours in the tub with this kit mixing ingredients to make foaming frothing baths and smelling potions and conducting science experiments to see how scents affect our alertness, moods and memories. Comparing the responses of siblings, parents and friends makes this a shared adventure the entire family will enjoy

© 2009 BrightSurf.com