mars – The Primordial Scoop

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Honor Series talk: A Journey to Find Active Life on Mars

I was invited by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to be a guest speaker at their Honors Series. Here is the abstract of the talk I will give on October 1, 2024.

By Jan Spacek August 12, 2024Astrobiology, Life, MarsNo Comments

Life on Mars Mars

Radiation on Mars is less likely to kill you than sitting on your couch

We have all heard that radiation on the Martian surface is dangerous to humans and that it would limit the extent of life there, both indigenous and transplanted. However, what is rarely mentioned is how dangerous the radiation is exactly. I will attempt to quantify this danger. In short: If you choose to forgo exercise and have a poor diet, you have a higher chance of premature death due to cancer than if you lead an otherwise healthy life but are exposed to Mars-surface radiation levels.

By Jan Spacek February 7, 2024Life on Mars, MarsNo Comments

Life on Mars

Assembly Theory and Agnostic Life Finding

Agnostic life finders can either look for molecules that are necessary for Darwinian evolution, or molecules that require Darwinian evolution to make. Assembly Theory promises to resurrect the second strategy after years of failure. Can it?

By Steven A. Benner March 24, 2023Life on Mars3 Comments

Mars NASA Single Scoops

The Mars’ magnetic shield would not work

Contrary to the popular belief, the magnetic shield would have a negligible effect on regeneration of Martian atmosphere.

By admin November 14, 2022Mars, NASA, Single ScoopsNo Comments

Life on Mars Origin of Life Single Scoops

Ribonucleic acid is formed by percolating ribonucleoside triphosphates through basalt glass

This simple reaction is the last step in a modeled "discontinuous" process that moves from sulfite- and borate-stabilized carbohydrates, a post-impact atmosphere, and rock species delivered from basalt glass, all of the way to what might be the process forming what might have been the first genetic molecules on Earth ... and Mars.

By Steven A. Benner June 4, 2022Life on Mars, Origin of Life, Single Scoops1 Comment

Life Life on Mars NASA Synthetic Biology

NASA Headquarters Misses the Ball. Polyelectrolytes as the Key to Agnostic Life Finding

Synthetic biology, 20 years ago, taught NASA how to search generally, agnostically, and universally for alien life. NASA still does not understand the opportunity

By Steven A. Benner April 16, 2022Life, Life on Mars, NASA, Synthetic BiologyNo Comments

Astrobiology Life NASA

2022 State of NASA Address: Astrobiology at NASA no longer looks for life on Mars

NASA gave up on looking for life on Mars, while planning to irreversibly biologically contaminate its surface. It is now up to private philanthropists to support life searching missions, while Mars is still biologically pristine. We know how to do it.

By Jan Spacek April 1, 2022Astrobiology, Life, NASA1 Comment

Astrobiology NASA

Science traceability matrices. Organized thinking, or organized biases?

NASA's workshop this week seeks to use STMs to speed the creation of new ideas to guide missions to detect life in the Solar System. But do STMs simply provide a veneer of respectability to old ideas, blocking the emergence of the new?

By Steven A. Benner March 25, 2022Astrobiology, NASANo Comments

Astrobiology Life on Mars Single Scoops

Benzoic acid on Mars. A 20 year old prediction come true?

Millan et al. just reported the discovery of benzoic acid in the dunes on Mars. Remarkably, benzoic acid was predicted 20 years ago to be on Mars as a product of organics falling to Mars via meteorite. And possibly ... life. Simply by understanding basic organic chemistry.

By Steven A. Benner November 4, 2021Astrobiology, Life on Mars, Single ScoopsNo Comments

Astrobiology NASA Single Scoops

Culture, Consensus, and Why NASA Committees Write Things That Are Not True

Science begins when individuals challenges the consensus. Unfortunately, NASA committees are likely to throw such individuals to the sharks.

By Steven A. Benner November 2, 2021Astrobiology, NASA, Single Scoops4 Comments

Single Scoops

Gilbert Levin and Life on Mars

Gil Levin met the 1976 burden of proof for Mars life detection. Unfortunately, the community forgot that he did so.

By Steven A. Benner October 30, 2021Single Scoops2 Comments

Single Scoops

Mars Is a Hellhole. That is Why I Want to Live There.

Some people say that we should not colonize Mars, because it would be hard. I say, we should colonize Mars, because it would be hard. Challenge is what drives invention and we should not shy away from it.

By Jan Spacek March 17, 2021Single ScoopsNo Comments