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Published on: November 18, 2015
Life on Mars? I. The chemical environment
1The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|March 1, 1995
Summary
The origin of life on Earth involved rapid abiotic synthesis of complex molecules. This study explores whether similar conditions for early life evolution existed on Mars.
Area of Science:
- Exobiology
- Astrobiology
- Origin of Life Studies
Background:
- Abiotic synthesis of complex replicating macromolecules from monomers is key to the origin of life.
- Early Earth likely facilitated spontaneous, rapid, and widespread abiogenesis, leading to sophisticated life within a billion years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the potential for exobiological evolution on Mars.
- To review and discuss chemical, physical, and environmental conditions on Mars relevant to life's origins.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on Martian conditions.
- Comparative analysis of early Earth and Mars environments.
- Assessment from an exobiological perspective.
Main Results:
- (Companion papers to present detailed findings)
- Identification of key factors required for abiotic macromolecule synthesis.
- Evaluation of Mars's suitability for early life evolution based on available data.
Conclusions:
- Mars's early environment is evaluated for its potential to support the origin of life.
- The likelihood of similar evolutionary pathways on Mars compared to Earth is assessed.
Keywords:
NASA Center ARCNASA Discipline ExobiologyNASA Discipline Number 52-80NASA Program ExobiologyMore Related Videos
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