Saturday, November 14, 2009

A Small Bibliography on the Research of Life on Mars

Murray, Stuart. DK Eyewitness Books, Mars. New York: DK Books, 2004.

This book begins with information about Ancient Mars, early astronomers who studied Mars, and their discoveries. It then goes into further detail and history leading up to present times, including unsuccessful missions, the desire to colonize Mars, and an informative time line of events. This book is recommended because it covers many different aspects of Mars, and gives a helpful overall background of important events and discoveries. Mr. Stuart Murray is a former journalist, reporter, editor, and book editor. He had written over 40 books, and is currently a principal in Lily Book Productions.



Tanton, Linda Elkins.
Mars, Solar System. Chelsea House Productions, 2006.

This book discusses in detail the science and history of the exploration of Mars. It describes the seasons of the planet and the effects these seasons have on Mars surface, as well as information on its mass, size, and atmosphere, and the many missions scientists have used to document the geology of Mars' history. This book is recommended because it is especially useful to those who want to further understand and research the history and fundamental facts of Mars. Ms. Tanton works under the title of Mitsui Career Developement Assistant Professor of Geology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.



Stille, Darlene R.
Mars, Our Galaxy and Beyond. Minnesota: Chanhassen, 2004.

This book studies the atomosphere, composition, and other complex charateristics of Mars, and focuses on how early scientists learned about the planet Mars, the only planet that can be seen clearly from Earth. It also discusses how Mars may have formed, and the mystery concerning water on Mars. This book is recommended because it is easy to read, and gives an informative approach of searching for life on Mars. Mrs. Stille has a Bachelor's from the University of Illinios and has written the
True Books series which includes 19 scientific childrens' books.



Scott, Elaine.
Mars and the Search for Life. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008.

This book starts with a review of Orson Wells's famous and well known radio broadcast, then divulges into questions designed to make the reader think. Detailed photos, diagrams, and illustrations are included in this interesting and informative book. This book is recommended because it gives important and helpful information on the early researchers Giovanni Schiaparelli and Percival Lowell, and many other historical facts pertinent to the study of Mars. Mrs. Scott has written several books and attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.



Carlotto, Mark J.
The Martian Enigmas: A Closer Look: The Face, Pyramids, and Other Unusual Objects On Mars. Berkely, California: North Atlantic Books.

This book combines the theories of pyramids, objects, and the possibility of life on Mars into a thrilling and compelling discussion of scientic facts. The desire to explore and the discoveries made regarding Mars are also discussed. This book is recommended because it has a very unique and original view, and the topics are helpful in researching the possibility of life on Mars. Dr. Carlotto has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.



Pope, Victoria. "Is There Life on Other Planets?"
Mysteries of Science (2004) : 13-15. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 2004

This article presents the subject of possibilities of life being able to exist on planets other than Earth. It discusses the conditions necessary for life to exist and gives information on Mars as well as other planets. A key focus is the topic of microbes being discovered in areas that were previously thought to be impossible for life to exist. This article is recommended because it gives new information and a fresh perspective on whether or not it is likely that there could be life on Mars. Ms. Pope worked as a foreign correspondent and executive editor for U.S. News and World Report for over ten years before becoming the managing editor of National Geographic Magazine.



Houtkooper, Joop M. and Dirk Schulze-Makuch. "
Possibilities for the Detection of the Hydrogen Peroxide-Water Based Life on Mars by the Phoenix Lander." Planetary & Space Science 57.4 (2009) : 449-453. Academic Search Premier. Web. April 2009.

This article explores the Mars spacecraft called the Phoenix Lander, and gives information about what the many instruments of the spacecraft are designed to do. It also informs readers of the types of experiments the spacecraft can conduct, and how it will evaluate the compounds found in Martian soil to determine if there is life or if past life existed on Mars. This article is recommended because it gives valuable information on the possibility of life on Mars and examines how science has explored these possibilities. Dr. Houtkooper, Ph. D. researches for the Center for Psychobiology and Behavioral Medicine and Dr. Schulze-Makuch, Ph.D., P.G. is an Associate Professor at the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences at Washington State University.



Shiga, David. "Mars Life Clue May Be Hiding Under Landers' Noses." New Scientist 202.2709 (2009) : 11-11. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 May 2009.

This article brings a fascinating and potentially problematic flaw to the plan of robot explorers testing for life on Mars. It examines studies that suggest the robot explorers may have destroyed organic molecules on Mars because of the landing process combined with combustible elements in Martian soil. This article is recommended because it also shows through new studies that organic material is not the only substance on Mars that can be used to test for life. Mr. Shiga is an astronomy and space reporter for New Scientist.



Abkowitz, Alyssa. "They're On a Mission To Mars." Fortune 160.7 (2009) : 39-41. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 October 2009.

This article discusses a part of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration, NASA called the Jet Propultion Laboratory or JPL. In order to determine if there is life on Mars, JPL is planning a mission in 2011 to send a Mars Science Lab with ten instruments that will research the atmosphere, water cycles, and other elements of Mars. This article is recommended because it combines the facts and experiments of NASA with the question of life on Mars, and discusses how an answer will be found. Ms. Abkowitz is a reporter for Fortune Magazine.



Talcott, Richard. "Seeking Ground Truth on Mars." Astronomy 37.10 (2009) : 34-39. Academic Search Premier. Web. October 2009.

This article discusses spacecraft sent by NASA, such as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, or MRO, and how it is gathering information about Mars surface. It also discusses the research being conducted about the observations of climate patterns, and the unique history of Mars' past. This article is recommended because it combines new and modern research with the results of past findings to determine whether or not life may exist on Mars. Mr. Talcott is the Senior Editor of Astronomy Magazine.




Zubrin, Robert and Chris Carberry. The Mars Society. Web. 10 October 2008.
[http://www.marssociety.org/].

This website is managed by The Mars Society, a U.S. Organization dedicated to the research of Mars, and of putting into effect a human mission to Mars. They are a non-profit charitable organization working to make a human mission to Mars successfully occur. This site is recommended because it features several different resources, including reports, political information, and information about missions to Mars. Mr. Zubrin is President and founder of The Mars Society and President of Pioneer Astronautics, an aerospace R&D company. Mr. Carberry is the Executive Director of The Mars Society and has a Bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master’s degree in history and archival methods.



Malin, Mike. Malin Space Science Systems. Web. 2009
[http://www.msss.com/].

This website is managed by Malin Space Systems. The purpose of this site is to provide information about spacecraft on or that have been to Mars, future missions and spacecrafts, and to provide images of Mars that have been retrieved using various spacecrafts. This site is recommended because it provides useful information about the landscape of Mars and important facts that have been discovered by using spacecraft such as the Mars Global Surveyor. Dr. Malin has a Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences and Geology from California Institute of Technology.



Christensen, Philip. Mars Odyssey Mission. Arizona State University, 2008. Web. 1 December 2009.
[http://themis.asu.edu/].

This website is managed by Arizona State University and provides information about Mars, and a special mission called Themis, which is a thermal imaging system. Themis is used to research and gather data about Mars. This site is recommended because it has unique resources and ways to look and understand the complexity of Mars. Dr. Christensen has a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Space Physics from UCLA.



Burk, James and Dustin Green. Mars News. March 1999. Web. October 2009.
[http://www.marsnews.com/].

This website is managed by Mars News. The purpose of this site is to provide information on current news reports, research, and other findings pertaining to Mars. This site is recommended because it gives up to date and current information about Mars, scientific experiments, and the latest studies. Mr. Burk is the founder and Editor of MarsNews.com, space activist, and has served as President of the Seattle, Washington chapter of The Mars Society, and is former Vice President of the Artemis Society International. Mr. Green manages the daily News Wire for Mars News, is a Mars activist, and currently works as a mechanical engineer.



Ray McCall. Explore Mars Now. Web. 2003.
[http://www.exploremarsnow.org/].

This website is managed by Nexterra. The site is a 3D, virtual model of the planet Mars. On this site there are facts about Mars, quotes and research from scientists and researchers who have been a part of Mars missions and developments, as well as pictures of Mars gathered from spacecrafts. This website is recommended because it combines past and current research together and enhances photos to create a virtual realm of Mars. Mr. McCall is Executive Director and CTO of Nexterra.



Plaxco, Jim. Astrodigital, Explore Mars. Web. 2007.
[http://www.astrodigital.org/mars/]

This website is managed by Mr. Jim Plaxco. Its purpose is to explore the planet, history, robotic missions, and future human missions of Mars. This site is recommended because is skillfully combines information on Mars and it's missions, as well as providing other helpful resources for researching Mars. Mr. Plaxco is a JPL NASA Solar System Ambassador.



Ropelato, Jerry. Tech Media Network. Web. 2009.
[http://www.space.com/mars/].

This website is managed by Tech Media Network. It provides general information on Mars, as well as a gallery of Mars photos, the ice on Mars, Mars' two moons, and much more helpful facts. This site is recommended because it illustruates the facts provided with useful images and gives a new look at Mars research. Mr. Ropelato is Chief Executive Officer of Top Ten Reviews Inc. and founder of Vitrex Inc.



Arnett, Bill. Mars Planets. 21 August 2008. Web. 2009.
[http://nineplanets.org/mars.html].

This website focuses on Mars' satellites, it's moons, and open issues regarding Mars. It provides general information about the planet Mars as well. This site is recommended because it shows what kind of controversial issues have arisen regarding the possibility of life on Mars and other related concerns. Dr. Arnett has a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.




Viotti, Michelle and Kirk Goodall. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Web. 8 January 2008.
[http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/].

This website is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. It's purpose is to give information about Mars through a variety of several different aspects. These include current Mars missions, past missions, and areas for children, students, educators, as well as press. It also has other links to science, technology, and events. This site is recommended because it explores many facets and topics of Mars and the research being done to uncover it's secrets. It also provides valuable information that is coming from a reliable source. Ms. Viotti works in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA and Mr. Goodall holds a Bachelors degree from Harvard in Physics and Engineering Sciences and a Masters degree from MIT in Aeronautics and Astronautics.