With regards to life, the amosphere is almost superfluous. That doesn't mean its not useful for a parachute, but there's good reason why we rely upon airbags for the final landing than parachutes. The air is too thin to expect a soft landing with a parachute.
My point in mentioning the atmosphere is that when we compare Mars to Antarctica to draw parables about "extreme environments," we forget that there is a huge difference between the atmosphere at the earth's south pole and the atmosphere anywhere and everywhere on Mars. For that reason alone, the two locations simply aren't comparable.
I also forgot to mention the terrific difference in surface temperatures, which also has significant implications for the possibility of extant life on Mars. The average surface temperature on Mars is about minus 55 degrees Celsius.
Space/Science » in reply to re: 50-50: Just curious
re: 50-50: Just curious
The whole thread (51 posts)
- Will Life Be Found On Mars? Your opinions and guesses:
- Dear friends, thanks for the vigorous discussion. I love it when I start a thread and there are many differing responses. David. (n/t)
- hmmm
- The Martian Race by Greg Benford
- For former life, I'd bet on Venus first
- 50-50
- Yes
- Well
- I follow Lovelock: Equilibrium = Death
- Possibly extremophiles under the surface
- re: Will Life Be Found On Mars? Your opinions and guesses: