What do you suppose is the evidence of life on Mars, in case the Microscope of “SPIRIT” is not able to recognize the really small Bacteria-like life?
Junichi MAKI from Japan Answer: SPIRIT has a camera and a number of other instruments, but does not have a microscope. The goals for SPIRIT and OPPORTUNITY are not detection of life on Mars, but characterization of the minerals in the rocks and soils that tell us information about the extent and duration of water on Mars. As water is thought to be important for life, we could gain indirect information that will help design future mission to Mars that more directly focus on the question of life. Expert: Janice Bishop SETI Institute P.I.
Related Questions
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