Perchlorate found on Mars makes soil less Earthlike

[Platapus]

First they have to eliminate contamination from the spacecraft.

Second, the levels detected are not high enough to eliminate the possibility of life

Third, there is no reason to believe that this particular sample is representative of the entire planet.

Fourth, other experiments on the spacecraft did not detect Perchlorate.

Fifth, we don't know if life on Mars would enjoy an environment of Perchlorate. Life on Mars may not have a thyroid gland

I think the media needs to leave the scientists alone for a while so they can do their work in peace. They will let us know when their testing is done.

[August]

From the Wiki article on Perchlorate:

Low levels of perchlorate have been detected in both drinking water and groundwater in 35 states in the US according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2004, the chemical was also found in cow's milk in the area with an average level of 1.3 parts per billion ("ppb" or µg/L), which may have entered the cows through feeding on crops that had exposure to water containing perchlorates.[4] According to the Impact Area Groundwater Study Program [1], the chemical has been detected as high as 5 µg/L in Massachusetts, well over the state regulation of 2 µg/L[5]

Does that mean there's no life on Earth as well?

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by August

Does that mean there's no life on Earth as well?

No intelligent life

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Platapus

No intelligent life

Well, I'm still looking for it on Earth at least, though it seems to be a rare oddity! :rotfl:

-S