Million Dollar Question Space Question: Is There Life on Mars?

While life does not appear to currently exist on Mars, scientists have found discoveries that could point to the potential that there were primitive organisms on the planet many years ago. Researchers have pinpointed locations and atmospheric conditions that had the potential to produce life on Mars. Some scientists believe eventually humans can begin to form colonies on the distant planet. While it may sound like a plot to a science fiction movie, there is potential for people to start life there due to current technological advances and findings.

One of the best spots for life to exist on Mars is located at Arsa Mons, which is actually a giant volcano. This area was once a part of large glacier and potentially contained microbial life at the foot of is. The heat that came from the active volcano mixed with the coolness of the ice could potentially cause simple organisms to form during the time that dinosaurs were roaming the earth.

Yellowknife Bay is another area on Mars that have led scientists to believe that life may have existed there at one time. Dust was found and analyzed by NASA headquarters and it was concluded that oxygen, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium were detected. Researchers were excited by these findings because they are the elements that are needed for life to occur.

An ancient lake was also discovered on Mars which has the potential to breed living organisms. It is possible that life could have even lasted thousands of years while this lake had been a habitable environment. In fact, scientists claimed that the Martian lake resembled lakes seen on Earth. The lake on Mars appeared to originate in the mountains and then stream down to a large body of water which is similar to what is seen on our planet. Microbes could have formed at this ancient lake on Mars when rocks were broken down because it could have created energy.

Scientists have been excited about the discoveries that they have found on Mars. They will continue to explore the planet to learn more about the past conditions of the planet. Researchers also could begin to think about how new life could eventually colonize on the planet.