Quiz on Prospects for Life on Mars

What is the primary focus of NASA regarding Mars?

• Observing Mars' atmosphere

• Exploring the history of Mars

• Studying Mars' surface features

• Pursuit of life on Mars

Who was Percival Lowell and what did he believe about Mars?

• A character in a science fiction story

• A NASA scientist studying Mars' atmosphere

• An astronomer who believed in Martian canals

• A Roman god associated with Mars

What was the outcome of the Viking landers' experiments on Mars?

• Confirmed presence of life on Mars

• Detected natural organic molecules

• Returned inconclusive results regarding life on Mars

• Found evidence of water vapor in the atmosphere

What controversial result was reported in 1996 regarding a meteorite from Mars?

• Confirmation of Mars' magnetic field

• Presence of extraterrestrial life on the meteorite

• Detection of amino acids on the meteorite

• Evidence of liquid water on Mars

What evidence was presented in June 2008 regarding subsurface water on Mars?

• Detection of certain minerals

• Photographs of bright material crumbs

• Confirmation of liquid water on the surface

• Gullies formed by running water

What is the main challenge in sending humans to Mars according to the text?

• Difficulty in landing on Mars

• Lack of technological advancements

• Cost of the mission

• Surviving the harsh Martian climate

What is the main reason for the high cost of sending humans to Mars?

• Ensuring human survival

• Long duration of the journey

• Use of physical units

• Requirement for advanced technology

What is the current status of the search for life on Mars according to the text?

• Discovery of intelligent life forms

• Inconclusive results regarding life

• Confirmed presence of microbial life

• No possibility of life on Mars

What is the main challenge in detecting life on Mars?

• Presence of liquid water on the surface

• Contamination of Martian soil

• Lack of chemical building blocks

• Difficulty in landing on Mars

Mars is the _________ planet from the Sun.

• First

• Tenth

• Fourth

• Fifth