Perchlorate found in Martian soil

The finding has surprised scientists, but they deny that the salt -- which occurs naturally on Earth and is used in fireworks -- would render the Red Planet uninhabitable. New soil chemistry tests by NASA's Phoenix Mars lander have unexpectedly uncovered evidence of perchlorate, a highly reactive salt found naturally on Earth and used in a variety of products, including fertilizer, fireworks and rocket fuel, scientists said Tuesday.

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