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Hitchhiking Through the Galaxy

Julia Knobloch
Mars.jpg

The idea, in a broader context known as panspermia, has been around for quite some time: what if life on earth originated in space and organisms were carried to our planet aboard meteorites? A new device is being currently developed in Massachusetts that could help bring more evidence to the forefront for what some scientists back as a plausible theory.

On future Mars missions, an instrument called SETG (which stands for 'Search for Extra-Terrestrial Genomes') would drill the red planet’s surface for soil samples. From those samples, the researchers would hope to isolate living microbes, or microbial remnants. Such biochemical palimpsests can be preserved for about up to a million years and still contain viable DNA. Forensic analyses could discover genetic sequences that are common in existing life forms on Earth.

If successful, this quest would not only advance scientific endeavors considerably, but also alter our self-perception. It would be proven that we have a familial relationship with distant ancestors in the universe.

Mars has recently been in the focus of cosmic archeology. Earlier studies showed that life did exist there, and that the planet named after the Roman god of war once offered abundant water supplies. Further it is believed that way back in times of a fledgling solar system, the climates on Mars and Earth were decisively more similar than they are today. Life forms that sprang on one planet may have prevailed on the other.

The team working on the SETG prototype include researchers from MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, as well as molecular biologists from Harvard. They estimate it could take another two years until completion. In the meantime, we can space out about the thought that our most primordial ancestors were enduring warriors from Mars who hitchhiked through the galaxy until they landed on Earth’s surface and spread out here.

Image: "Mars, once" by Kevin Dooley  on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons Licensing

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Comments

Mars Dream

Submitted by Osirian Dawn on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 20:19.
Cool article, makes me think of a dream I had a few weeks ago where I was aboard a spaceship to Mars. As I approached arrival I saw trees, bushes, and flowers coming from a large hangar. I remember saying, "I didn't know Mars had life" whereby the others I was on board with laughed as if everyone knew. Which makes me curious, what have the cosmic archeologists found so far?

Hi Osirian Dawn, thanks for

Submitted by Julia Knobloch on Sat, 04/16/2011 - 10:35.
Hi Osirian Dawn, thanks for your comment. Basically, the most important finding was that Mars once had abundant water supplies, and other conditions that are thought to be essential to support life. Today, the surface of Mars is dry and cold, but researchers believe they have evidence that liquid water may exist below the surface.

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Educative concept!! The idea

Submitted by sallymall on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 10:03.
Educative concept!! The idea of Hitchhiking through the Galaxy impressed me. I truly like that impression. Keep it up though. Thanks a lot! electric blinds

Been going back there on vacation for years

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Water in Mars

Submitted by Laith on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 03:50.
In 2005 I sent email to NASA about the presence of water in Mars, this was within of psi abilities as possible to participate in assisting researchers in various sciences for the benefit of the general community. But unfortunately I did not get a clear answer from them, such as discussed scientifically, is it useful to look or not?, How to take advantage of it?, Etc. .. I introduce to you my messages copy to NASA and I would like to hear your comments useful about it and how to take advantage of it: Thanks for all. All my messages copy to NASA: Thu, March 17, 2005 12:07:57 PMRE: The water in mars From: NASA-JPL Freedom Of Information Act Office View Contact To: laith white Greetings: You must describe the government records you are seeking. If you do not know the exact title of the document you are seeking, you should provide a reasonable description of the documents. The more information that you can provide about the document, such as its author or date, the more expeditiously your request will be processed. Thank you. Sincerely, Dennis B. Mahon Freedom of Information Act Officer and Records Manager National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Suite DD000 Science Mission Directorate/NMO 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 180-200C Pasadena, CA 91109-8001 Phone: (818) 393-6779 Fax: (818) 393-3160 -----Original Message----- From: laith white [mailto:laithwhite@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 9:45 AM To: NASA-JPL Freedom Of Information Act Office Subject: RE: The water in mars Hi I live in IRAQ/ Baghdad. I don't Any " government records" I want under the Freedom of information Act. Please help me. Thanks Liath NASA-JPL Freedom Of Information Act Office wrote: Greetings, You have not described any "government records" you want under the Freedom of Information Act. If you wish to obtain NASA government records, please describe specific records so that I may assist you. Thank you. Sincerely, Dennis B. Mahon Freedom of Information Act Officer and Records Manager National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Suite DD000 Science Mission Directorate/NMO 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 180-200C Pasadena, CA 91109-8001 Phone: (818) 393-6779 Fax: (818) 393-3160 -----Original Message----- From: laith white [mailto:laithwhite@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 9:01 AM To: NASA-JPL Freedom Of Information Act Office Subject: RE: The water in mars Hi Thank you for letter, I want to obtain NASA government records. Thanks Laith NASA-JPL Freedom Of Information Act Office wrote: Greetings, Thank you for writing and thank you for your interest in NASA. I do not believe you have described any "government records" you want under the Freedom of Information Act. If you wish to obtain NASA government records, please contact me with information that describes specific records so that I may assist you. Thank you. Sincerely, Dennis B. Mahon Freedom of Information Act Officer and Records Manager National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory Suite DD000 Science Mission Directorate/NMO 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 180-200C Pasadena, CA 91109-8001 Phone: (818) 393-6779 Fax: (818) 393-3160 -----Original Message----- From: laith white [mailto:laithwhite@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:06 AM To: NASA-JPL Freedom Of Information Act Office Subject: The water in mars Good day I interested to know everything about mars world . I made many tests about Remote Viewing and Telepathy via internet in Boundary Institute . I would like to inform you about the exists of water in Mars according to My Remote Viewing as following . 1- Water exists under the south pole of Mars . 2- Water exists under the surface of Mars about ( 500 - 1000 ) meters underground . 3- The water freezing . 4- Water exists in tight tunnels . I wish that my information could be help full to the scientists. Looking forward to hearing from you . Note : These Information as a result of my ESP abilities . Thanks

Congress President and UPA

Submitted by pressbrief3655 on Thu, 03/14/2013 - 11:03.
Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Marking the occasion of International Women's day, inaugurated a Women Medical College in Haryana. She dedicated the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women to the nation on Friday at Khanpur Kalan in Haryana's Sonipat district. Sonia Gandhi| Rahul Gandhi|| Priyanka Gandhi