A microscopic view of fine-grained material at the tip of the Robotic Arm scoop aboard NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander, 20 Jun 2008

NASA scientists say they are "flabbergasted" to find that soil on Marsappears rich enough to grow such Earth-bound plants as asparagus.

U.S.space researchers revealed the results of their first "wet" chemicalanalysis of Martian dirt Thursday and said it is not as acidic asexpected, appearing to have the requirements and nutrients to supportlife.

The sample was taken two weeks ago by the Mars LanderPhoenix, then heated to over 538 degrees Celsius. At that point, thesample released water vapor. The scientists said the the dirt issimilar to that in a typical backyard.

As exciting as thescientists find the discovery, they point out that they can study onlythe chemistry of Mars, not whether anything has ever lived there.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and Reuters.