Space
Did A Super-Drought Wipe Out Aliens On Mars?
Sam D
First Posted: Nov 15, 2016 06:11 AM EST
The possibility of aliens in the form of even microbial form having existed or still existing on Mars has been quite the favorite topic of speculation for mankind. However, the lack of liquid water on the Martian surface makes the planet hostile toward any form of life. A recent research has demonstrated this absence of water in the form of meteorites on Mars.
The meteorites on Mars were observed to lack rust, suggesting that the incredibly dry Mars has been going through a super-drought for millions of years. According to Nature, the study conducted by an international team of researchers as led by Scotland's University of Stirling provides an important insight into the current environment of the Red Planet.
"Evidence shows that more than three billion years ago Mars was wet and habitable," said study lead author Dr. Christian Schröder, as reported on University of Stirling site. "However, the latest research reaffirms just how dry the environment is today. For life to exist in the regions we investigated, it would need to find pockets far under the surface, located away from the radiation and dryness present on the ground."
The research team used data from the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity to investigate a meteorite cluster at Meridiani Planum, an area located on the south of Mars's equator. The scientists estimated a chemical weathering rate for the Red Planet to calculate the time taken for the iron present in the meteorites to rust.
Incidentally, iron rusts when it comes into contact with oxygen and water, both of which are necessary components for the process to take place. According to the team's calculations, it could take anywhere from 10 to 10,000 longer on Mars to arrive at the same levels of rust formation as observed on Earth's driest deserts. The study indicates that Mars has been dry for millions of years, and the resulting super-drought conditions are detrimental for life to exist.
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First Posted: Nov 15, 2016 06:11 AM EST
The possibility of aliens in the form of even microbial form having existed or still existing on Mars has been quite the favorite topic of speculation for mankind. However, the lack of liquid water on the Martian surface makes the planet hostile toward any form of life. A recent research has demonstrated this absence of water in the form of meteorites on Mars.
The meteorites on Mars were observed to lack rust, suggesting that the incredibly dry Mars has been going through a super-drought for millions of years. According to Nature, the study conducted by an international team of researchers as led by Scotland's University of Stirling provides an important insight into the current environment of the Red Planet.
"Evidence shows that more than three billion years ago Mars was wet and habitable," said study lead author Dr. Christian Schröder, as reported on University of Stirling site. "However, the latest research reaffirms just how dry the environment is today. For life to exist in the regions we investigated, it would need to find pockets far under the surface, located away from the radiation and dryness present on the ground."
The research team used data from the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity to investigate a meteorite cluster at Meridiani Planum, an area located on the south of Mars's equator. The scientists estimated a chemical weathering rate for the Red Planet to calculate the time taken for the iron present in the meteorites to rust.
Incidentally, iron rusts when it comes into contact with oxygen and water, both of which are necessary components for the process to take place. According to the team's calculations, it could take anywhere from 10 to 10,000 longer on Mars to arrive at the same levels of rust formation as observed on Earth's driest deserts. The study indicates that Mars has been dry for millions of years, and the resulting super-drought conditions are detrimental for life to exist.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone