Investigation VI

VI. Life on Mars: Where's The Party?

(Finding out about the possibility of life on Mars)

	What evidence do we have for life on Mars? See Meteorite Yields Evidence of Primative Life on Early Mars How old was the meteorite? ___________________________________ Much of the interest in the meteorite is due to its age. Ancient Mars is thought to have been wetter, warmer and to have had a more friendly environment for life.
	How did the meteorite get to Earth from Mars? ___________________
	What evidence for life was found in the meteorite? ________________
	What evidence do we have against life on Mars? See Life in Mars Stats for help. Give 5 or 6 examples. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
	See Mars: All Sun All The Time? . Look at the image of Mars in the lower right that shows temperatures. Temperature scales are below it. What is the range of temperatures on Mars today? low ________ high _______
	Look at the Whole Earth Catalog Of Temperatures Are there any temperatures on earth today (where we know life exists!) that are the same as the Martian temperatures. You will need to convert temperatures using the Conversion Chart supplied by your teacher or click on Conversion Chart. ________ If yes, what temperature and where on earth? ___________________
	Considering temperature alone, is it possible for life to exist on Mars? ________
	: Recently on Earth some primitive forms of life have occurred in some very extreme conditions of light, temperature, and atmosphere. These organisms are called “extremophiles.” Look at the article on Terrestrial Life in Extreme Environments and scroll down to the section on “Extremophiles.” What extreme conditions do we find primitive life on Earth? And which type do you think might we find on Mars? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________
	New information from the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, indicate the presence of an iron mineral, called hematite. Look at Signs of Life in Meridiani Planum and read the Introduction. Why is the occurrence of hematite important? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________
	Read the second paragraph of Meridiani Planum. List the four ways that hematite forms involving rock and water, and, therefore, have a possibility of containing evidence of life. 1. ______________________________________________ 2. ______________________________________________ 3. ______________________________________________ 4. ______________________________________________
	Where on Earth have scientists found fossil bacteria in iron ore? ___________________________________________
	If a "higher" form of life had evolved on Mars, use your creativity and science knowledge to draw a picture of it. Consider the evidence you listed in question 3 to help you design this life form. Label important body features and tell how they cope with the Martian environment. If you can scan and send your creature to the editors, we will put the best on the Martian Sun-Times!

Want to be a Martian Sun-Times reporter? Write a story using the facts you have learned in this lesson. Choose one of the styles of reporting that your teacher gave you. Email it to us!