I try to keep deviations from ‘ocean [and earth] related’ subjects to a minimum here, but when evidence surfaces from recent Mars landings that soil samples are showing composition similar to ‘sea water’ on earth, then I feel it’s relevant to understanding both Mars and the possible origins of life on earth.

Plus, it’s my blog.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – NASA extended the mission of the busy Phoenix lander on Monday, saying it will operate until it dies in the cold, dark Martian winter.

The lander found evidence that the chemical makeup of the dust on the surface of Mars resembles that of sea water, adding to evidence that liquid water that once may have supported life flowed on the planet’s surface.

See here for more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080929/sc_nm/us_mars_phoenix_1