Why We May Have Already Found Life On Mars with Dr. Patricia Ann Straat

With the recent findings of seasonal methane blooms on Mars and now unusual readings of unexplained oxygen levels, the question of "is there microbiological life on the red planet?" goes unanswered. In 1976, NASA sent Viking 1 and Viking 2 with four types of biological experiments. Of these experiments, the Labeled Release Experiment returned positive results on both landers, however the control tests could not confirm the results. Did the Viking landers find life on Mars?

Want to support the channel?

Follow us at other places!

Links:
With Mars Methane Mystery Unsolved, Curiosity Serves Scientists a New One: Oxygen

Curiosity's Mars Methane Mystery Continues

[blaster-zyxx]

Wow, kudos to this channel for doing this interview. Unfortunately Dr Straat passed away shortly after this interview, so this channel and this great interview was probably the last thing she did to tell the world about her contribution to the exploration of extraterrestrial life. She was so much on the ball for this interview. I was completly impressed by her. Thanks again John for doing this. RIP Dr Straat.

[tonyk]

One of the reasons I became a scientist (my PhD is in biochemistry, too!) in the first place was the Viking missions. I remember laying on the floor of my living room staring at pictures of Mars sent back by the landers and reading about this experiment over and over again. Thank you for this interview.

[joshlindgren]

This is one of the most exciting interviews I've ever heard. Everyone needs to hear this. Thank you, John!

[robbabcock_]

It's disconcerting that so many have essentially dismissed the Labelled Release Experiments when there's no reasonable way to explain the results in any other way. It's maddening that with potentially the most important discovery humans have ever made we've never followed up. Especially if Earth microbes have had all the intervening decades to spread and contaminate the Martian environment.


One of your best guests and best episodes yet, JMG!

[hupekyser]

Dr straat is precious.

A wonderful and charming interview. I am so happy for you John. I can't imagine how exciting it must be for you to be doing what you're doing. YouTube has afforded you some wonderful new opportunities to be connected to your number one passion in a new and exciting way.

There is simply nothing better. Thanks for all your brilliant work. I tip my hat to you.

[chrisburke]

I had no idea John had a podcast. I was listening to his shorter videos on his other channel - didn’t realize Event Horizon existed until just a few days ago.

Can’t get enough. So thankful for this work!! By far by favourite program!!

[WayneTheSeine]

Very good interview. As you stated, if future experiments prove life does indeed exist, these people deserve the credit.

[jayp]

Hey, this is a brilliant channel and this was a great interview.


I was eight years old in 1975 when NASA launched the Viking 1 & 2 missions to Mars. Captivated, I stayed up every night to watch the 9 O’clock news on the BBC to learn the latest.


Names such as Gentry Lee, Dr Gil Levin and Dr Patricia Ann Straat became my heroes.


Gil and Patricia designed and conducted the life experiment on Mars, and today controversy still rages about whether we found microbial life there or not.


Now 44 years later, I was watching an interview with Patricia on YouTube and learned she’s chronicled her life in a book. Quickly scanning its website I saw that you can’t buy it in the UK.


So, I sent an email to the generic address on the site and quickly got a reply back from Dr Patricia Ann Straat herself! I couldn’t believe it and we got into a dialogue.


She agreed to ship a signed book to me.


I can’t tell you how amazing it is to have a hero of mine since the age of eight sign a book and talk to me on Email. To put it into perspective, this is one of the first two people who has likely found life on another planet; NASA just haven’t confirmed it yet!

[EventHorizonShow]

Does Mars have life? Where else in our solar system should we look for life?

[mauriciot.p.]

John, I already commented on your channel that I love your videos. But this... wow! I'm still at 17 minutes but damn. I had heard about these experiments but hearing from one of the people involved gives it a completely different perspective! Amazing! And it makes you really think... there could be life on Mars right now!

[livefire]

I'm considering this the most important interview I have ever listened too, and one that seriously makes me question the intentions of NASA..

[txrwauy]

I always listen to your show on a Saturday and it's always a good investment of my time!  However - I think this is a "stand-out" episode.  Patricia makes a compelling case for a positive detection of life.  Until recently I wrote off Mars as a likely habitat - however with the recent detection of oxygen level fluctuations on top of the methane emissions I think it's time that we took another serious look at the red planet as a possibly living world.  No other space science objective is as important to my mind than seeing if our world is unique in having a biosphere - absolute confirmation of life on another world would represent as much of a shift in our understanding of the universe as Galileo seeing the phases of Venus and confirming that our Earth was not the centre of the universe.  BTW - I never realised that there was a spare lander - it's a great pity it wasn't flown.  Thanks  to the Event Horizon team - you have given me a change of perspective and widened my knowledge of our wondrous Universe.

[OHMYGODDOG]

This was fantastic! Much appreciation to Dr Straat for all that you have achieved and to you John, for bringing us this content from the confines of your Lebaron ... presumably.

[simontmn]

Great video. I remember in 1983 age 10 telling my teacher we had found life on Mars. I was a bit flabbergasted years later to find NASA was then denying it. The lack of attempted confirmation since has been very odd.

[LEDewey_MD]

Fascinating and provocative interview!

[bobmorr]

Wow this interview gave me goosebumps. Amazing questions and amazing answers that's for sure.

[bibliophile]

I believe there is microbial life several places in the solar system. We are not alone. Life is common in the Universe. Intelligent technological life that can be detectable by us is very rare.

[TheDaigoro]

Great interview and sad that she has passed away now. Amazing that you captured this great discussion with her.

[mikedrop]

How have I never heard of this experiment? Well, thank you to Dr Straat, JMG and the crew this story will be recirculated exposing a whole new generation of people to this amazing study. Well done!

[jamersoncobb]

Excellent interview! Very intriguing, exciting, and insightful. Thanks Dr. and JMG!