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Does life exist on other planets? This is a question that people have been wondering for years. Are we alone in space? Is earth the only planet that has a sustainable environment to support life or does other intelligent life exist on other planets in our solar system or even in other galaxies in our huge universe. Currently earth is the one and only planet known to have ever developed life. So far the search for life on other planets has been unsuccessful however many scientists are hopeful and believe that we are not alone in the universe and other life exists. Although individuals do not support the continuing research and advancing in technology used to search for extraterrestrial life; no one can prove that life on other planets does not exist. Numerous areas have been detected in which have conditions that life could possibly exist in. Now all we need is some evidence to go along with our research and many believe that it is only a matter of time. Mars is considered the most earth-like of all planets and in the past has been thought to have a high probability of containing life. With similarities like both having polar caps, a comparable rotation period, seasonal variations, a rocky surface, and similar temperatures mars is thought to be the best candidate for life. The exploration for life on mars dates back far in time when humans began to question whether or not earth was the only place where life existed. To the right is a map of mars from 1877 by Giovanni Schiaeparelli. He observed mars and all the lines covering the planet’s surface and called them “canali” which can be translated to channels or canals. Mars was thought to contain water, an essential part of life as we know it. However, Giovanni’s theory was later proved wrong by the 1965 Mariner 4. It transmitted 22 close-up famous photos of mars and exposed that there were naturally occurring channels but no water to be found on the planet, and it also revealed mars to have a moonlike surface covered with craters. In the years to follow came the Mariner 6 and 7 and we learned about mar’s atmosphere. Unlike earth’s atmosphere which is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, mars is primarily composed of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). It makes up for 95.32% of its atmosphere followed by Nitrogen (N2) 2.7%, Argon (Ar) 1.6%, Oxygen (O2) 0.13%, and Water (H2O) 0.03%. Furthermore as mars is farther from the sun it has a colder climate than earth with average recorded temperatures of -63° C (-81° F) with a maximum temperature of 20° C (68° F) and a minimum of -140° C (-220° F). In finding these new results mars was thought to be lifeless. Despite the downfall of hope in finding life on mars deter mined scientists continu ed their search in 1976 with the Viking Landers 1 and 2. They arrived on the surface of mars and there was no presence of life to be found. However, in conducting three experiments they detected enigmatic chemical activity in the martian soil and may have found evidence of active microbial life on mars. In 1984 a meteorite was found in Antarctica. It was thought to have been flung away from mars billions of years ago. Then to have flown in space for billions of years before running into earth about 13 thousand years ago and landing in Antartica. This connection was made as the meteorite contained an element found on mars. The meteorite was thought to be evidence of ancient life on mars billions of years ago. Furthermore in 1997 the Mars pathfinder found evidence of water existing on mars in prehistoric times, this additionally the idea that Ancient life existed on mars. If life can be proven to exist or have existed on mars it will be a huge discovery as it will mean that a creation of life is possible to occur twice. As we are not certain as to how life on earth happened in the first place we are not sure of the conditions required for it to occur again. Currently we have the 2001 Mars Odyssee, NASA’s 2003 Mars Exploration Rover, and ESA’s Mars Express which will all return with more information about existence of life on mars. It is an exciting area of science with new discoveries and advancing technology. So far the search for life on mars has been unsuccessful but we know that there is a high probability that life existed on mars in the past and there are countless other places in our universe to explore with conditions where life is thought to exist.
 * Possibility of Life on Mars**

Sources: // Calvin J. Hamilton. // “Mars Introduction” //Views of the Solar System// Copyright © 1997-2008. May 2009 < []> //Caplinger, Michal.// “Life on Mars” //Malin Space Science Systems// April 1995. May 2009 <[]> //Frommert Hartmut.// “Life on Mars” //Seds// February 1998. May 2009 <[]> //Heefman, Mark.// “ Can extra-solar life-supporting planets be detected with current techniques?” //Astronomy Students of// //Groninger Kapteyn Institute// January 1998. May 2009 <[]> //Todd, Nancy.// “Possible Life on Mars” //NASA// August 2005. May 2009 <[]>