Photo: NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
For many years, people have wanted to know if we are alone in the universe.
Scientists have been looking for life beyond our planet, however, they have not been to able
to find any real signs of life. Scientists have used the last technological instruments, such as powerful
telescopes and radio telescopes. Despite that, a team of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) scientists from the
Johnson Space Centre (JSC) surprised the world in 1996 with claims that a meteorite from Mars could have microscopes signs of life. If it is
true then it would be the biggest discovery in the history of science.
Is there life beyond our planet? The propose of this home page is to
introduce you to the conclusions that the scientists have found about
the research of this Martian meteorite.
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It was a day, which Americans listened on radio about a Martian invasion; however, it was only an comedy transmitted on air. It happened on Halloween, October 30, 1938, when millions of Americans tuned in to a popular radio program that featured plays directed by, and often starring, Orson Welles . The performance that evening was an adaptation of the science fiction novel The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells, about a Martian invasion of the earth. But in adapting the book for a radio play, Welles made an important change: under his direction the play was written and performed so it would sound like a news broadcast about an invasion from Mars.
Since H. G. Wells wrote "The War of the Worlds," the world has
been waiting for announcement from scientists about the Martians.
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On August 7, 1996, an announcement was made in Washington at a news conference to discuss
the research, which were made by
scientists from NASA and various universities. CNN news ( "Ancient meteorite may point to life on Mars", August 7, 1996 ) announced:"NASA announced that a primitive form
of microscopic life may have existed on Mars about 4 billon years ago."
Daniel Goldin, NASA Administrator, said:"
The research is based on a sophisticated examination of an ancient
Martian meteorite, labeled Allan Hills or ALH 84001, that landed
on Earth about 13,000 years ago. The meteorite was found in
Antarctica in 1984". (CNN news, "Ancient meteorite may point to life on Mars", August 7, 1996)
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Maybe, people waited to see to "the little green men",
however, they just could see a bacterial form looking like little maggots.
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Some photos and videos about the Martian Meteorite you can find here. Courtesy of Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
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Believe or not believe, that is the question. However, it depends of many factors, such as culture, religion. Some scientists think that this research is the true proof about the life beyond our planet, also there are scientists who say that they need more proof or deep proof. I want to believe.
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SETI Australia Centre (2001). Life on Mars in the past or today?. [Online]. Available: http://seti.uws.edu.au/main/mars.htm (2000, April 30).
CNN.COM (2001). Ancient meteorite may point to life on Mars. [Online]. Available: http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9608/06/mars.life/ (2001, April 22).
Britannica.com Inc. (1999-2001). Science fiction meets science fact . [Online]. Available: http://www.britannica.com/frm_redir.jsp?query=life+on+mars&redir;=http://whyfiles.news.wisc.edu/022critters/mars.html (2001, April 27).
NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) (2001). Exploring Mars and beyond . [Online]. Available: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/mars/ (2001, April 27).
For more information to see:
Sagan, C. New York:Random House (1980). Cosmos. [Chapter 4:" Blues for a Red Planet"]
Astronomy Magazine, July 2000, Pages 36-54
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