Nasa finds potentially toxic substance on Mars
Tuesday, 05 Aug 2008 10:57
Phoenix has detected a potentially toxic substance on Mars
Science In Focus
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Nasa scientists are analysing soil samples from the surface of Mars after detecting what could be a toxic substance.
They want to determine if the substance perchlorate is present in Martian soil, as earlier tests suggested, or if readings are being influenced by materials from Earth that could have come from the Phoenix Mars lander.
The presence of perchlorate would suggest that the soil on the Red Planet is less Earth-like than thought.
"We are committed to following a rigorous scientific process. While we have not completed our process on these soil samples, we have very interesting intermediate results," said Peter Smith, Phoenix's principal investigator at the University of Arizona.
"Initial analyses suggested Earth-like soil. Further analysis has revealed un-Earth-like aspects of the soil chemistry."
Since Phoenix landed on Mars at the end of May it has given scientists a wealth of material about the planet.
Last week science instruments onboard Phoenix confirmed the presence of water on Mars.
Besides seeking water, the Phoenix mission is designed to determine if carbon-containing chemicals and other raw materials for life are present on Mars.
Nasa officials announced last week that an extra five weeks will be added to the mission, extending prime operations until the end of September.