2009-01-16 (Friday) by Gregory Tucker.

On Thursday, January 15, 2009, NASA announced that a team led by Dr. Michael Mumma of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has conclusively determined the existence of methane in the Martian atmosphere. This discovery could have far reaching implications concerning our understanding of Mars and possibly the nature of life in the universe. Because methane cannot remain in the Martian atmosphere for a long duration of time, methane must be continually replenished. This likely means that Mars either has yet to be discovered volcanic activity or it harbors life below its surface.

In a NASA press release, Dr. Mumma stated “…we do not have enough information to tell whether biology or geology — or both — is producing the methane on Mars, but it does tell us the planet is still alive, at least in a geologic sense. It is as if Mars is challenging us, saying, ‘hey, find out what this means.’ ”

“This discovery is significant whether it is biological or geological in nature,” said Chris Carberry, the Executive Director of The Mars Society. “While we have been building up a significant amount of evidence that Mars is not a dead planet, this evidence strongly supports that theory. The Mars Society sends our wholehearted congratulations to Dr. Mumma and his team for this truly historic discovery.”

“This discovery is of extraordinary importance,” said Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin. “NASA has either found life, or it has found a hydrothermal system which could well support life. It shows that Mars is warm and wet underground, and a place where life could not only have originated in the past, but still persist today. If we are going to know the truth about the place of life in the universe - a question that has held the attention of thinking men and women for centuries- we need to send human explorers to Mars to see what is there.

“The Obama administration is trying to develop a program to stimulate the economy. What better way to do it than by launching another Apollo program, mobilizing the nation’s talent and industry to reach for Mars in the quest for truth.”

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2008-10-11 (Saturday) by Gregory Tucker.

I understand the NASA Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is in danger of being cut due to cost overruns. We have already spent $1.5 billion and 4 years on its construction, and now that work is in jeopardy over $300 million. Please note that every significant accomplishment of our country, including the Apollo missions and the Panama Canal have gone over budget. Allowing the MSL program to lapse would be a tragic waste of taxpayer dollars.

NASA remains relevant to our economy and to science. MSL is not only a significant piece of our scientific exploration of the universe, but the pioneering missions of NASA have inspired me and tens of thousands of Americans to explore careers in science and engineering.

Please find a way to get this program done.

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2008-10-02 (Thursday) by Gregory Tucker.

http://www.wwu.edu/depts/skywise/a101_planets.html

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