New discovery strengthens hypothesis of life on Mars

DNVN - Thanks to great strides in space research, humanity is gradually discovering the mysteries of the universe, especially the possibility of life existing outside Earth.

Australian scientists have just announced a remarkable discovery that brings us closer to the question of whether Mars once had conditions suitable for life. Announced on November 23, new evidence confirms that the Red Planet may have once had conditions that supported life.

Specifically, experts from Curtin University and the University of Adelaide (Australia) studied a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain taken from the NWA7034 meteorite, commonly known as “Black Beauty”, discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2011. The analysis results showed that zircon, a mineral often considered a geological “identity card”, contained chemical signs proving the presence of water-rich liquid. This is considered an important sign that water existed during the early volcanic activity on Mars.

Research team member Aaron Cavosie from Curtin University stressed that the discovery not only helps decipher Mars’ ancient hydrothermal system but also opens up the possibility that the Red Planet once had conditions suitable for life. “We have used nano-geochemical analysis to detect elemental evidence of hot water on Mars 4.45 billion years ago,” he asserted.

Cavosie also points out that hydrothermal systems are fundamental to the development of life on Earth, and similar signs on Mars suggest that the planet may have once had water, which is necessary for habitability. Although the surface of Mars has been affected by numerous meteorite impacts that have disturbed the crust, the study shows that water existed during the pre-Noachian period, about 4.1 billion years ago, the earliest period in the formation of the planet's crust.

Thanh Mai (t/h)

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/phat-hien-moi-cung-co-gia-thuyet-ve-su-song-tren-sao-hoa/20241126095357360