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The search for life on Mars

C P McKay1

  • 1Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.

Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life
|June 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Evidence suggests early Mars may have harbored life, supported by water features and meteorite analysis. The search for fossil evidence on Mars continues, offering potential signs of extraterrestrial life.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Planetary Science
  • Geology

Background:

  • Mars shows evidence of past liquid water, indicating potentially habitable conditions.
  • Early Martian history, particularly during the Late Heavy Bombardment, is a key period for potential life's origin.
  • Antarctic cold deserts serve as an analog for potential Martian ecosystems under harsh conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the possibility of past life on Mars.
  • To investigate early Martian environments and their potential to support life.
  • To assess the significance of Martian meteorites in understanding early Martian habitability.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Martian geological features, specifically fluvial evidence.
  • Examination of a specific Martian meteorite dating to early Martian history.
  • Comparative planetology using Earth's extreme environments (Antarctic deserts) as an analog.

Main Results:

  • Fluvial features indicate past presence of liquid water on the Martian surface.
  • Analysis of an early Martian meteorite suggests evidence of the past environment and potential life.
  • The study posits that life, if it originated, likely ceased as Mars cooled and water became unavailable.

Conclusions:

  • Early Mars may have possessed conditions suitable for life.
  • Fossil evidence in Martian meteorites or on the surface could confirm past life.
  • The search for extraterrestrial life on Mars remains a significant scientific endeavor.
Keywords:
NASA Center ARCNASA Discipline Exobiology

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