Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Earlier experiments had already proven liquid water could carve the type of gullies seen on Mars.

re: Well, sure, of course, naturally
BRFelix — (archived)

The presence -- at least temporarily -- of liquid water (or some similar volatile) on the surface of Mars should long ago have been accepted as a routine fact, but it hasn't been.

Oh no. It's still subject to intense dispute. (Or at least the appearance of dispute.) Why?

Because of its implications for biology of course.

If the obvious is accepted, that liquid water (or a similar substance) can -- and routinely does -- flow on the surface of Mars, and there must then be substantial subsurface reservoirs of water or other similar substances, some of which may be surprisingly close to the surface and may be feeding the gullies and channels we see changing appearance, there's a problem for those who insist on a sterile Mars.

In other words, instead of their position being assumed by default -- they then would have to defend their position in the face of stronger (though not perfect) evidence suggesting a "habitable zone" on or near the Martian surface.

That's what ultimately keeps going back and forth. Still. After 35 years of very close exploration.

And ironically, while I was once an enthusiast for surface or near surface biology on Mars, I am now very much an agnostic, despite all the accumulating evidence that could support the presence of surface or near surface biology.

There's something there, for sure. But what it is... ??? I suspect it is not biology but perhaps something that mimics it. Since Mars is the Planet of Mimicry par excellence.

But I dunno!

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