Bacteria Could Survive In Martian Soil

Dagondanum writes "Multiple missions have been sent to Mars with the hopes of testing the surface of the planet for life — or the conditions that could create life. The question of whether life in the form of bacteria (or something even more exotic) exists on Mars is hotly debated, and still lacks a definitive yes or no. Experiments done right here on Earth that simulate the conditions on Mars and their effects on terrestrial bacteria show that it is entirely possible for certain strains of bacteria to weather the harsh environment of Mars." Perhaps this is something that will be tested further in a few years by the Mars Science Lab, also known as "Curiosity" and (as reader Nova1021 points out) "the Mars Action Hero."

Re:FP

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

How is Bacterium formed?

How mars get pragnent?

First Martian Explorer

[GargamelSpaceman]

Buzz Lightyear steps off his lander to be the first human being on Mars. Six hours later, he is a puddle of goo. Two hours after that, all his crewmates are puddles of goo as well.

Re:First Martian Explorer

[jameskojiro]

Welcome to Mars, Bring plenty of Lysol...

Re:First Martian Explorer

[Anonymous Coward]

Buzz Lightyear steps off his lander to be the first human being on Mars.
Six hours later, he is a puddle of goo. Two hours after that, all his crewmates are puddles of goo as well.

If they figure out how to send radio signals it would be like ordering in pizza. It could end up a form spam e-mail. "Come to Mars we have a source of limitless energy", "Martians aren't bald we have a hair loss cure", "Viagra plants are a form of subsurface weed, free for the taking", "horny Martian women want to meet you", "prince of Mars needs help transferring money off planet, bring suitcases and lot of fat juicy people to carry them".

Nice...

[moogoogaipan]

Now, Matians will think we are creating a biological warfare. Well, it's been nice to post on /. over the past few years. See you all on the other side.

Re:FP

[Anonymous Coward]

How is Bacterium formed?

How mars get pragnent?

They need to do way instain shuttle. It was on the news this mroning, A bacteria in mars consumed its three cell divsions. They are takign the three cell waslls back to the earth to lady to rest. My pary are with the sceintists, i am truely sorry for your lots.

Re:What are we waiting for?

[CorporateSuit]

My father has a mutant strain of Vinca in his yard. We've found plants living for more than 6 months without water, light, and under extreme temperature swings (They were completely white, and were found practically boiling in their own juice when we uncovered them, but still very much alive) and some sections of the yard thrive on nothing but a steady supply of herbicides. That and the spearamint plants that cannot ever seem to be extinguished no matter how much they're cut down, dug up, and flattened, and the wild blackberries in the Southeast portion of his yard that made me think "Day of the Triffids" was a documentary of my life growing up. I always thought we should send samples of these plants to NASA for their consideration in terraforming anything.

The more I think about it, the less I'm convinced my dad is Batman, and the more I'm convinced my mom is Poison Ivy.