Dr. Rick Miller discusses potential life on Mars
Dr. Rick Miller will give a lecture about potential past or present life on Mars May 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. George Branch Library. The event is free and open to the public.
The purpose of this lecture is to consider the early history of Mars and compare it with the early history of Earth. The rock and fossil record reveals that microscopic life appeared on Earth very early in its history, perhaps 4 billion years ago. At that early time, the conditions on Mars were very similar, so it is quite possible that life also appeared on Mars.
In the past 20 years, NASA has provided an enormous amount of new and exciting information and photographs concerning the red planet. NASA orbital and ground studies of the red planet have indicated that early in its history, Mars shared many similarities with Earth. Volcanism was common, and an atmosphere and water were present, both resulting from volcanic eruptions similar to those that have occurred throughout Earth’s history. Mars has a record of sedimentary rocks and other surface features that supports the existence of this atmosphere and surface water. However, the situation changed on Mars. It apparently ran out of a source of internal heat (radioactive decay), and effectively died.
Coupled with new geologic discoveries about the early history of Earth, it is possible to provide a realistic hypothesis that living organisms existed on Mars in the distant past and perhaps still exist there today. Miller will present this evidence and discuss its ramifications.
Miller’s scientific background is in geology and paleontology combined with years of teaching and studying and publishing papers on the history of Earth. The St. George Branch Library is located at 88 W 100 S in St. George.
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