No life possible on Mars!
Q. Mars was found inhabitable because?- Published on 14 Nov 16a. It is dry
b. It has been dry for millions of years
c. Both of the above
d. Neither of the above
ANSWER: Both of the above
Mars is the basic target for scientists searching for life outside planet earth. Liquid water is the most important and critical prerequisite for life.
- But global scientists have found that the Red Planet is incredibly dry and has been so for millions of years
- More than 3 billion years ago, Mars was wet and habitable
- Latest research reaffirms just how dry the environment is currently
- Life is therefore not possible in Mars
- Scientists examined a cluster of meteorites at Meridiani Planum- just south of the equator and at a same latitude to Gale crater
- Researchers calculated the chemical weathering rate for Mars and how long it takes for rust to form from metallic iron present in the meteorites
- Chemical weathering process depends on the presence of water
- It takes 10 to 10,000 times longer on Mars to reach the same levels of rust formation on dries deserts on earth
- President day aridity has prevailed in the Red Planet for millions of years
