Mars

[Chipchopper]

Now that Nasa scientists have found evidence of liquid water flowing on mars, would it be possible to introduce some forms of vegetation to produce oxygen there ?

[Chipchopper]

I'm thinking mostly in terms of bio domes with a controlled environment.

[ToraToraTora]

average martian temperature is -60 so if liquid water is present it must be very localised, perhaps planetary heat of some description or weather somehow can get above 0 but that would need to be thoroughly understood first.

[wildwood]

Layman's observation; plants need carbon dioxide in order to perspire oxygen.

Maybe some primitive type of algae like what started creating the atmosphere on Earth.

[Chipchopper]

Carbon dioxide appears to be one of the largest components, 95. 32 percent.
Single celled stromatolites, like those found in shark bay Australia, believed to be one of the early colonisers on Earth, may be a viable option.
I think this is a very exiting time in history.

[andy-hughes]

It's interesting that scientists have always linked the possibility of water with the possibility of life.

What about an alien species that has no physical form?

Or one that doesn't need water, and communicates by colours, or scents (ants do it, it's not that alien a concept).

I think the idea of tying water to life is somewhat limiting, but then again, I'm not a scientist, what do I know!

[Chipchopper]

Some good/interesting points, Andy, and food for thought!
I don't think even the scientists know very much about Mars yet, it all seems to be based on what is known about here on earth.

[wildwood]

It certainly is exiting. But we have a perfectly good planet here, let's clean this one up first before it is too late.

[EDDIE51]

TTT the water is extremely salty (not common salt though) which means the freezing point is as low as -120 C.