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Is there life on Mars? |
We already know
that Mars at one time had the right climate for life to evolve.
It had hot springs and liquid water, which supply the only two
things needed for life: energy and water. However, do we have any
proof that life actually did exist on Mars? Yes.
13,000 years ago, a small meteorite crashed into Earth. This was not just any meteorite, for its had just completed a three billion year journey from Mars. Then, in 1996, scientists found this Martian meteorite in Antarctica. They cataloged it ALH84001 and sent it to NASA.
When NASA analyzed this meteorite, it found evidence that the meteorite had once contained bacteria. Since the only likely source of this bacteria was from Mars (the bacteria were in the middle of the meteorite), they realized that they had uncovered evidence that suggested there is life on Mars. In order to make this evidence more credible, NASA sent chunks of the meteorite to several independent laboratories. Every one of those Laboratories came back with the same results as NASA.
3 main things were found inside the meteorite that suggested there was Martian bacteria. First, organic molecules were found clustered in small pockets inside the meteorite. Also, mineral features were found that are characteristic of bacterial activity. Lastly, scans by electron microscopes revealed microscopic fossils of ancient bacteria.
Although the fact that the meteorite has ancient Martian bacteria in it is in question, one fact is certain: this meteorite is from Mars. There are two main reasons why we know this. First, it is younger than the typical 4.5 million year old asteroid. Also, air that was trapped in the meteorite has exactly the same composition as the Martian atmosphere measured by the Viking lander.
Unfortunately, the fact of Martian bacteria on this meteorite is not so certain. All of the evidence found on this meteorite could be explained in two other ways (both are somewhat improbable):
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