Gill Bates says, "Although today Mars is a cold, dry place it wasn't always this way. There may well have been living organisms on Mars that are extinct today. According to NASA scientists, thermal spring deposits have been identified as important targets for locating a martian fossil record because such springs might have been oases . Thermal spring waters also can sustain the high rates of mineral precipitation which, on Earth, typically occur in the presence of microbial communities. Volcanic terrains are widespread on Mars, and some include outflow channels of simple morphology that may have formed by springs." Gill says, "if you want to find Martian fossils, let's head for the high volcanic shields, Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, or Arsia Mons. Or, if you prefer, let's check out the Valles Marineris"

Now you might think that these are very risky places to land, but remember, there are no people aboard this spacecraft, and Gill Bats says, "Hey, it's my money!"

Now it's time to pick a place to land!
 
 
 
 

Life on the Edge	Search for Life	Moon Lab	Space Links

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