Could there be life on Mars?

Of all the planets in the Solar System except Earth, life on Mars seems to be most likely, although the chance is small, probably less than 1%. Astronomers have speculated about the possibility since they saw "channels" with early telescopes on Mars and also saw the presence of ice caps. The rule of excitement created by Mars' channels in their discovery has gave birth to the concept of popular culture of Martians. In the end, it was clear that these channels were natural formations, but the speculation around Mars continued the same way. They found nothing, including any organic molecules. The newer Lander, Phoenix , arrived at Mars in 2008 with more sensitive equipment and repeated the tests and found nothing again. Extensive testing will probably have to wait a human visit and long -term colonization of Mars, which may not occur until 2050 or more.

Although in these missions there were deNo superficial life on Mars, these findings are not definitive. Some scientists have used similar techniques to test life in the McMurdo dry valleys in Antarctica, known to have microorganisms and have come negatively, suggesting that to fully verify the results of and and . Regardless of this, these tests would miss life under the surface. In 2007, it was calculated that DNA or RNA life would not be able to survive for a long time less than 7.5 meters (25 ft) below the surface due to the high influx of space rays. The most likely location of life on Mars is therefore still uncontrolled.

The most accurate evidence that we are currently we have, that there can be be nistraface Martian Microorganisms is observation of methane in the atmosphere of Mars. On Earth, methane almost always comes from a biological source, but other processes can create methane - usually volcanism or hydrothermic activity. Several other rare non -nebiological processes can create methane like serifiesPentinization. The presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere suggests that it produces something constantly, because methane rapidly decreases in the Martian sun. Mars' lack of volcanism or hydrothermal geysers is unlikely that methane was generated in this way. So it seems that the source is either a rare non -border process or subsurface methanogenic bacteria.

Finally, the answer is that we are still insecure.