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Viking Labeled Release Biology Experiment: Interim Results
Abstract
This report summarizes all results of the labeled release life detection experiment conducted on Mars prior to conjunction. Tests at both landing sites provide remarkably similar evolution of radioactive gas upon addition of a radioactive nutrient to the Mars sample. The "active" agent in the Mars sample is stable to 18°C, but is substantially inactivated by heat treatment for 3 hours at 50°C and completely inactivated at 160°C, as would be anticipated if the active response were caused by microorganisms. Results from test and heat-sterilized control Mars samples are compared to those obtained from terrestrial soils and from a lunar sample. Possible nonbiological explanations of the Mars data are reviewed along with plans for resolution of the Mars data. Although such explanations of the labeled release data depend on ultraviolet irradiation, the labeled release response does not appear to depend on recent direct ultraviolet activation of surface material. Available facts do not yet permit a conclusion regarding the existence of life on Mars. Plans for conclusion of the experiment are discussed.
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Cited by
The missing organic molecules on Mars
Benner, S. A., Devine, K. G., Matveeva, L. N., & Powell, D. H. (2000) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.040539497 · Cited by 422
Geochemical and mineralogical interpretation of the Viking inorganic chemical results
Toulmin, P., Baird, A. K., Clark, B. C., Keil, K., Rose, H. J., Christian, R. P., Evans, P. H., & Kelliher, W. C. (1977) · Journal of Geophysical Research · doi:10.1029/js082i028p04625 · Cited by 375
Mineralogy and evolution of the surface of Mars: A review
Chevrier, V., & Mathé, P. E. (2007) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2006.05.039 · Cited by 198
THE ORIGIN AND EARLY EVOLUTION OF LIFE ON EARTH
Oro, J., Miller, S. L., & Lazcano, A. (1990) · Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences · doi:10.1146/annurev.ea.18.050190.001533 · Cited by 160
The Viking Biological Investigation: General aspects
Klein, H. P. (1977) · Journal of Geophysical Research · doi:10.1029/js082i028p04677 · Cited by 112
Metadata
- Authors
- Levin, G. V., & Straat, P. A.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 1976-12-17
- Volume
- 194
- Issue
- 4271
- Pages
- 1322-1329
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2018523785
- Cited by
- 161
- References
- 0
- FWCI
- 18.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
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