Mars, besides Earth, is the most probable planet to have harbored life. It possesses advantageous conditions and a climate that could have maintained primitive bacteria-like organisms in earlier times. The existence of outflow channels and diverse geological characteristics provide compelling proof of the presence of liquid water on Mars billions of years ago.
Advancements in modern American technology have propelled the world forward in its quest to uncover the true nature of life on Mars. A massive asteroid collided with Mars approximately 16 million years ago, causing an explosion more powerful than a million hydrogen bombs. This impact ejected large amounts of rock and soil into Mars’ thin atmosphere. While most of these materials fell back to the planet’s surface, some debris overcame Mars’ weakened gravitational pull and entered independent orbits around the sun.
Scientists propose that the earth’s gravity attracted debris particles to the planet, potentially containing microorganisms that may have played a role in the origin of life. Although there is no concrete evidence, this theory is widely acknowledged as highly plausible. Additionally, similarities observed between Venus, Earth, and Mars suggest a possible interplanetary relationship among these planets.
Astrobiology, or exobiology, emerged in August 1960 to investigate the origins, evolution, and prevalence of life throughout the cosmos. Venus, Earth, and Mars possess comparable levels of carbon dioxide, suggesting a common origin for these planets. However, the cause behind Mars’ emission of carbon dioxide from its soil and polar ice cap remains mysterious.
According to a theory, all planets were inhabited by “anaerobes” who could only survive without oxygen. When the Earth’s ozone layer began to form, more than half of these anaerobic organisms died out and eventually evolved into aerobes, which need oxygen to live. Scientists suggest that the high temperatures observed in the dark areas of Mars may be caused by living vegetation on dry vegetable mold. A physicist and astronomer named Coblentz developed a theory proposing that moss and grass might be responsible for the higher temperatures in these dark areas compared to sun-exposed layers. The presence of plant life on Mars could be affected by atmospheric pressure. Currently, efforts to find Martian vegetation are focused on exploring the canals of Mars.
Goldsmith 12A, an astrophysics scientist, provides substantial evidence that Mars possesses volcanoes, oxygen, and water vapor. The transition from a warmer to a colder climate is attributed to the escape of atmospheric gases into space. Additionally, Steven J Dick mentions that scientists speculate about wind-related movements, ice-related geology, and water-related geology on the red planet.
Despite the presence of abundant water on Mars, it cannot exist in liquid form due to unstable conditions. The temperature typically plunges to -53 C, significantly colder than the freezing point. Although temperatures occasionally surpass the melting point, any ice that melts swiftly evaporates into the atmosphere.
Water is essential for life and it can be found on Mars in different forms such as permafrost, water vapor, ice-soil layer, and occasionally as liquid water. Jakosky and Vuce (7C) state that the presence of liquid water and a warm climate on Mars allowed for the free flow of water, as evidenced by the network of channels on its cratered surface.
President Bill Clinton revealed on August 7, 1996, that Mars had been found to have life. This revelation was made based on the examination of a meteorite discovered in Antarctica, which happens to be the oldest rock known on Earth with an age exceeding four and a half billion years. The formations within this rock are similar to bacteria, although there is no proof of more advanced organisms existing on Mars. (Goldsmith, Donald 4 A)
The rock consists of carbonate mineral deposits, formed through the union of carbon and oxygen atoms with elements like calcium, iron, and magnesium. The source of life on Earth remains uncertain; however, scientists hypothesize that if Mars also hosted life, the potential for discovering life in other places exists.
Although opinions in the scientific community are divided on whether to continue searching for life on Mars due to its past lack of success, there are still optimists who believe that further searches will eventually lead to results. However, even if it is confirmed that Mars does not harbor life, it will continue to be a fascinating destination. Currently, humanity remains uncertain about the existence of life on Mars.
Bibliography
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- Senator Matsunaga calls for a joint U.S.-Soviet manned mission to Mars. Miles, Frank and Booth, Nicholas. Race to Mars. New York: Harper & Row, 1988.
- Mars mission concepts. Pittendrigh, Colin, et al, eds. Biology and the Exploration of Mars. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences National Research Council, 1966.
- Report of a study held under the auspices of the Space Science Board. Works Cited Dick, Steven J. Life On Other Worlds. Australia: Melbourse, 1998.
- Digregorio, Barry E. Mars The Living Planet. Califronia: Berkeley, 1997.
- Goldsmith, Donald. The Hunt for Life ON Mars. England: Middlesex, 1997
- Jakosky, Vuce. The Search for Life on Other Planets. New York: New York, 1998.
