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>Can someone explain why the discovery of ice and organics on Mars and Mercury such a surprise?

It isn't a surprise, the hypothesis has been around for a long time, this is just new supporting evidence.

>If the prevailing opinion in science is that life formed spontaneously on Earth because the required chemistry was already present, doesn't it follow that similar compounds would be found through out the solar system?

The big difference with Earth is position and the presence of a protective magnetosphere [1].

1: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/as...




It's like the Higgs boson. It's a resounding "yes, we were on the right track."


Additionally, enough gravity to maintain an atmosphere. Mars isn't in a terrible spot, but it can't hold on to water vapor, oxygen, etc.


Agri-domes and underground habitats. I think that would be a cool world to live on.




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