A chemical analysis of soil by the Mars Polar Lander has revealed some surprising results: It's slightly alkaline. This is important because had it been acidic--which is what the scientists had expected--it would pretty much have ruled out the possibility of life on the red planet. As it stands, however, the soil is, in fact, quite friendly to its development.
According to mission scientist Samuel P. Kounaves, "you could probably grow asparagus" in the soil. Kounaves failed to explain, however, just why the hell anyone would want to grow asparagus anywhere.
Still, it is important to note that while Martian dirt may be conducive to life, it doesn't necessarily mean that there are little green humanoids running around the planet ready to shove anal probes up the tuchus of the first human they see.
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