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Is There Life on Mars?
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Program Overview
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NOVA follows scientists as they seek signs of life on Mars.
The program:
reviews early missions to Mars. follows the trials and triumphs of the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, as they land on and navigate the Red Planet. shows how scientists used tools on each rover to explore and determine the chemical makeup of the planet's surface. notes that while some scientists think that water once flowed on Mars and may have sustained life, other scientists maintain that the planet's environmental conditions would not have supported life. features scientists who investigate whether microbes can survive in salty Arctic springs on Earth. reports on the Phoenix Mars Lander's efforts to find signs of liquid water in the northern polar region of Mars. shows how the team troubleshoots the lander's equipment difficulties. reveals how the lander found evidence of water on the Red Planet. notes that one test showed signs of the chemical percholate in the Martian soil and reports that researchers have identified organisms on Earth that thrive on percholate. describes plans for the next mission in 2010—the Mars Science Laboratory—that will search for organics on Mars.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after program is recorded off the air.
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