NASA’s latest discovery has offered new insights into why Mars remains barren and uninhabitable despite once having flowing rivers and lakes. A study published in the journal Nature suggests that the planet was doomed to be a desert due to its low volcanic activity, which disrupted the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Unlike Earth, where volcanic eruptions spew gas back into the atmosphere, replenishing the climate cycle, Mars’ “feeble” rate of outgassing left it colder and less hospitable. The study found that brief periods of liquid water on Mars were followed by 100 million years of barren desert conditions, making it challenging for life to thrive.
The discovery was made possible by NASA’s Curiosity rover, which discovered rocks rich in carbonate minerals. These minerals act as a sponge for carbon dioxide, pulling it in from the atmosphere and trapping it in rock. Lead study author Edwin Kite believes that Mars had “blips of habitability” during its past, but they were short-lived exceptions rather than the rule.
While the study suggests that Mars may never have hosted life, scientists hope to find evidence of ancient micro-organisms by returning rock samples from the Martian surface back to Earth. This could provide a crucial answer to one of humanity’s greatest questions: are we alone in the universe? The discovery of proof or lack thereof would shed light on the origins of life and its potential universality.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-discovery-could-explain-why-weve-never-found-life-on-mars