WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 — A crystal found in a meteorite from Mars could only have been formed by a microbe and may be evidence of the oldest life form ever found, researchers say. Scientists at the Johnson Space Center in Houston say that a crystallized magnetic mineral, called magnetite, found in a Martian meteorite is similar to crystals formed on Earth by bacteria.
“I AM CONVINCED that this is supporting evidence for the presence of ancient life on Mars,” said Kathie Thomas-Keprta, an astrobiologist at the space center and the first author of a study appearing Tuesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Thomas-Keprta said there is no report of such magnetites being formed by any but biologic means.
CONTROVERSIAL ROCK
The magnetite crystal was found in a Mars meteorite called Allan Hills 84001, or ALH84001. Researchers at the Johnson Space Center in 1996 announced that the space rock contained microscopic evidence of life, but their claim has been dismissed by most other researchers.
Thomas-Keprta said the new study strongly supports the original claim and may even suggest that there is still microscopic life on Mars.
“If it existed there at one time, we would expect it to exist today,” said Thomas-Keprta.
The new finding is supported by a second paper in the same journal.
E. Imre Friedmann, a biologist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., said an electron microscope examination of ALH840001 had produced evidence of magnetite crystals formed in chains.
Friedmann said that on Earth the bacteria that make magnetite form the material in chains, and that these chains are surrounded by a membrane. Under the electron microscope, fossilized images of both the chains and the membrane can be seen, he said.
“We see chains that could have been formed only biologically,” said Friedmann. “There is no way you could come up with a non-biological explanation.”
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http://www.msnbc.com/news/136901.asp
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“I AM CONVINCED that this is supporting evidence for the presence of ancient life on Mars,” said Kathie Thomas-Keprta, an astrobiologist at the space center and the first author of a study appearing Tuesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Thomas-Keprta said there is no report of such magnetites being formed by any but biologic means.
CONTROVERSIAL ROCK
The magnetite crystal was found in a Mars meteorite called Allan Hills 84001, or ALH84001. Researchers at the Johnson Space Center in 1996 announced that the space rock contained microscopic evidence of life, but their claim has been dismissed by most other researchers.
Thomas-Keprta said the new study strongly supports the original claim and may even suggest that there is still microscopic life on Mars.
“If it existed there at one time, we would expect it to exist today,” said Thomas-Keprta.
The new finding is supported by a second paper in the same journal.
E. Imre Friedmann, a biologist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., said an electron microscope examination of ALH840001 had produced evidence of magnetite crystals formed in chains.
Friedmann said that on Earth the bacteria that make magnetite form the material in chains, and that these chains are surrounded by a membrane. Under the electron microscope, fossilized images of both the chains and the membrane can be seen, he said.
“We see chains that could have been formed only biologically,” said Friedmann. “There is no way you could come up with a non-biological explanation.”
Want to learn more?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/136901.asp
------------------
"I'd like an order of fries, a quarter pounder with cheese, I love the light in your eyes, would you go out with me please? I am in love with a McDonald's Girl, she has a smile of innocence so tender and warm, she is an angel in a polyester uniform."