Reuters
Last updated: 8:05 am
June 27, 2008
Posted: 4:27 am
June 27, 2008
LOS ANGELES - "Flabbergasted" NASA scientists yesterday said a preliminary analysis showed that the soil on Mars appeared to contain the requirements to support life.
Scientists working on the Mars Phoenix Lander mission said a soil sample was much more alkaline than expected.
"We basically have found what appears to be the requirements, the nutrients, to support life, whether past, present or future," said lead investigator Sam Kounaves.
"It is the type of soil you would probably have in your back yard . . . You might be able to grow asparagus in it . . . We were all flabbergasted."
Phoenix landed on Mars on May 25.
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