Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Usiena air - Univers...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
versions View all 1 versions
addClaim

Life on Mars? Viking Data Reanalysis

Authors: BIANCIARDI, GIORGIO;

Life on Mars? Viking Data Reanalysis

Abstract

In 1976, Viking missions to Mars performed three independent experiments to detect signs of life in the Martian soil. The Labeled Release experiment (LR) monitored the evolution of radiolabeled gas, most likely CO2, after injection of a 14C-labeled nutrient mixture. The release process was characterized by an energy of activation of 35-43 Kcal/mole, i.e. within the range of a biologic process, and the sterilization of Martian soil prevented the release. Miller, Straat and Levin (2002), analyzing the periodic fluctuations of the radiolabeled gas, detected a circadian rhythm that may further support a biologic interpretation. However, a highly correlated periodic oscillation in the temperature inside the chamber test didn’t permit a claim of “fi nal proof” of the presence of putative Martian microorganisms. To test the hypothesis of a biologic origin of the gas released by the LR experiment, we have performed a complexity analysis of the radiolabeled gas evolution and temperature data published by Miller and co-workers. Our results permit separation of the two parameters, and, much more, fi nd that the fl uctuations of the radiolabeled gas perfectly overlap the fl uctuations present in physiologic processes, like the heartbeat in a neonate, supporting the biologic origin of the radiolabeled gas release from Martian soil. A more intensive analysis now underway will investigate this matter further in the hope of reaching a fi nal conclusion about whether the Viking LR detected life on Mars as has been claimed by Levin

Country
Italy
Related Organizations
Keywords

nonlinear analysi, Labeled Release Experiment, fractal analysi, complexity analysi, Viking, life on Mar, nonlinear analysis; life on Mars; fractal analysis; complexity analysis; Viking; Labeled Release Experiment; heartbeat, heartbeat

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!