Life on Mars would have gone extinct more than 1.3 billion years ago
Life on Mars would have gone extinct more than 1.3 billion years ago
Since the dawn of astronomy, humans have been obsessed with the question as to whether there is life elsewhere in the universe.
Since the dawn of astronomy, humans have been obsessed with the question as to whether there is life elsewhere in the universe.
Indeed, much of the scientific focus on Mars is devoted to answering this question, as there are hints that the red planet may have had microbial life in its youth.
Indeed, much of the scientific focus on Mars is devoted to answering this question, as there are hints that the red planet may have had microbial life in its youth.
But you don't actually have to go to Mars to study the planet.
But you don't actually have to go to Mars to study the planet.
Conveniently, around 11 million years ago, a cluster of Martian meteorites known as the nakhlites struck Earth,
Conveniently, around 11 million years ago, a cluster of Martian meteorites known as the nakhlites struck Earth,
likely propelled by the force of a huge impact on Mars that send debris into the solar system that eventually found its way to Earth.
likely propelled by the force of a huge impact on Mars that send debris into the solar system that eventually found its way to Earth.
Swedish doctoral student Josefin Martell — along with a team of scientists at Lund University — have been investigating the properties of a cache of these rocks.
Swedish doctoral student Josefin Martell — along with a team of scientists at Lund University — have been investigating the properties of a cache of these rocks.