Did Mars Support Habitability After All?
Published by A new theory brings back the same question once again- Did Mars Support Life?
Did Mars support habitability after all?
In an article published online on Sunday, it describes that Mars water would have been far too hot to support life on microbial basis. After studying the pictures sent by the Mars rover ‘Opportunity’ in 2004 and the Martian clays, they have concluded that these Martian rocks could have actually been magma enriched with water in it. Now the debate comes out between two facts: did water flow over the surface or beneath the surface of Mars?
Bethany Ehlmann, who is a planetary geologist at Caltech, agrees with it too. As per his theories, one scenario suggests that the clays formed on the surface of Mars have been because of the water interacting with the minerals present on the surface. In the other scenario, he predicts that the water flowing from the underground would have warmed by the internal heat, which could have provided comfortable living. If clays on Earth are indeed of much use to track down mineral contents, then why couldn’t it work for the clays present on Mars?
Ehlmann quoted that if either one of the theories are true, Mars could have supported life. But clays form when Magma cool till 1500 degree Celsius, which couldn’t prove to be a nice place for habitat. When researched in Brazil and French, identical forms of clay were observed in comparison to the ones on Mars. The escaping water vapors from the interior of Earth must have formed the bubbles in magma, which later was hardened in the form of clay. The Martian meteorites collected on earth support this new theory too.
Ralph Milliken, who wasn’t involved in the study and is a planetary scientist at Brown university suggested, ”It’s possible that all 3 models could be right, depending on where you’re looking. It does have some merit, and alternate hypothesis is also needed to be considered fully.”
This explains one thing, but what about the river-bed like cut present on the surface of Mars. The theory doesn’t explain that at all. Well, we hope Curiosity-the one ton NASA rover on Mars explains it after it gives a close look on some clay once it reaches Mount Sharp in the middle of Gale crater. Scientists say it would take a year for Curiosity to reach that destination.
Liked it
On September 10, 2012 at 5:39 am
interesting article
http://scienceray.com/astronomy/a-search-for-an-alternative-for-extraterrestrial-life-nearer-than-ever/
On September 10, 2012 at 7:15 am
nice research
On September 10, 2012 at 7:20 am
Yes there are MILLIONS if not billions of years in the life of our solar system that we know almost nothing about. Life could indeed have appeared on Mars or elsewhere, if only for a “brief” time. But Life is Life! Nice write. And research.
On September 10, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Thank you for this.
https://twitter.com/mhatter99
On September 10, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Mars might have had life that is completely unlike anything we would consider as life. Nobody can know for sure.
On September 11, 2012 at 2:41 am
All interesting observations. Some Scientists say one thing while the other says another. So many billions years have past, who knows if it did or did not have life forms. It boggles the mind. I’d like to think that our endless Universe had other life forms. I am still waiting for that hair of proof though. Not so sure the world can handle it!
On September 11, 2012 at 4:48 am
writing is very good and beneficial to share
On September 11, 2012 at 8:09 am
Thank you so much for sharing such an interesting article. I loved it and look forward to so many more to come.
Eddy.
On September 11, 2012 at 8:30 am
Yes, I too am interested in the investigations on Mars. It’s fascinating.
On September 11, 2012 at 9:44 am
Mars still continue to be a mystery! But what I know is, this place just looks too red to support any life form!
On September 13, 2012 at 2:18 am
I really want to know the answer. Must be patient for now.
On September 29, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Love this one. Cool photos!