Page 7 - IAV Digital Magazine #471

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Is this Proof of LIFE On Mars? NASA's Curiosity Rover Snaps Photos of Martian Mushrooms That ProveTheRedPlanet isHomeToOrganic Lifeforms, ScientistsClaiminControversial Study
Images from the surface of Mars reveal the pres- ence of mush- rooms, a group of scientists claim in a controversial new study.
It states some images captured by NASA's Curiosity show fungi is growing on the surface of
the supposedly barren planet.
The claims have yet to be con- firmed or refuted by NASA. The research lists 15 images as evi- dence of algae, lichens and 'Martian mush- rooms'.
Photographic evi-
dence of such flourishing life- forms, should the discovery be con- firmed, would likely revolu- tionise our under- standing of Mars and life outside of Earth.
Dr Regina Dass, of the department of microbiology at the school of life
sciences, India, the study's co- author said: 'There are no geological or other abiogenic forces on Earth which can pro- duce sedimentary structures, by the hundreds, which have mushroom shapes, stems, stalks, and shed what looks like
spores on the surrounding sur- face,'
the Express repor ts.
'In fact, fifteen specimens were photographed by NASA growing out of the ground in just three days.'
It remains unknown why life may have sprout- ed on Mars but it is possible condi- tions are more suitable for culti- vating life under- ground than on the surface.
The claims have been published in Journal of Astrobiology and Space Science Reviews.
A controversial piece of research such as this is subjected to extensive vetting by peers within the scientific com-
munity.
Editors of the journal say six independent sci- entists and eight senior editors were recruited to scrutinise the study.
Eleven recom- mended publica- tion on the grounds certain revisions were implemented and three rejected the results.
Other academics proposed an alternative expla- nation and say it is more feasible the specimens are hematite, a form of iron oxide.
The journal stat- ed: 'Evidence is not proof and there is no proof of life on Mars.
'Abiogenic expla- nations for this evidence can't be ruled out.'
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine