image source, Getty Images
Simulated astronaut exploring Mars which will be possible within the next decade.
Scientists have yet to find any traces of life on Mars. But new data from the survey led them to increasingly believe that, at least in the past billions of years, There must have been microbes living on this red planet. But they may have a self-destructive behavior that will eventually go extinct.
A study published Oct. 10 in the journal Nature Astronomy suggests that there was a high probability that 3.7 billion years ago Mars had microbes that consumed hydrogen and excreted methane. during the same period The world has already given birth to the same life.
A computer model was created. to predict the effect that Martian microbes will have on its own planetary environment. It was found that if microorganisms ingested hydrogen actually existed. They will have a very bad effect on the atmosphere and their livelihoods. This is different from the effects of this microorganism on the planet.
Because Mars’ atmosphere is mainly composed of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. They are both greenhouse gases that help trap heat from the sun. Make Mars, which is farther from the Sun than Earth. It was warm enough to give birth to life around 4 billion years ago.
image source, NASA / JPL-CALTECH
Exploring robot mockup “Persevia Rance” while on a mission on Mars.
However, computer modeling indicates that If microorganisms that consumed hydrogen and excreted methane existed in early Mars They quickly deplete the hydrogen in the atmosphere. until Mars loses its ability to store heat and the star’s surface has cooled to the point where life can no longer be inhabited.
Model forecasts indicate that The surface temperature of Mars, where the atmosphere is covered is only sparse. dropped from the original range of 10-20 degrees Celsius to the coldest point to -57 degrees Celsius, causing the microorganisms that are responsible for climate change It may have had to escape the cold into the rocky layer up to 1 kilometer from the surface before going extinct some 200-300 million years later.
within the next decade Humans may have the opportunity to set foot on Mars and explore for traces of ancient life on their own. This will prove whether the above assumptions are true or not. However, traces of methane have now been found on Mars. which is believed to be caused by living things
Dr Boris Soterey, lead researcher at the French Institute of IBENS, concluded: “The elements that give birth to life can be found everywhere in the universe Therefore, it is possible that life is constantly being born in the stars. But if an organism is unable to maintain an environment that is conducive to life will be extinct quickly.”