Microbes discovery that might hold the secret to life on Mars
Microbes discovery that might hold the secret to life on Mars
The fact that spores were visible during the rain on the driest areas of the planet’s surface suggests that they may also be present on the surface of the red planet.
Researchers have discovered bacteria that had been sleeping in the soil for decades. Because there had been no water, these microbes went into a very deep sleep before the rains came and roused them.
Where did those microbes reside?
These microorganisms were found in the driest region of the Atacama Desert in South America, and scientists believe that the same idea may hold true for Mars. This makes them think that similar types of simple organisms may be present on Mars’ surface.
Dr. Dirk Schulzmakuch, a planetary scientist at the University of Washington, said: “I’ve always been interested in going to places where people didn’t think there was life in order to discover that life somehow found its way to it, and the research we’re doing tells us that if life persists in the driest places on Earth, chances are that it does exist. comparable manner also on Mars.
How were these microorganisms found?
In the Atacama Desert, soil samples were collected at six distinct sites between 2015 and 2017. The origin of these spores in the desert has already been discovered, although it is unclear if they are local to the region or are the leftovers of extinct, wind-swept species. The explanation is when a very unusual torrential rain again stimulated its biological activity.
How are these bacteria adjusting to their surroundings?
A return visit by scientists to the Atacama Desert in 2016 and 2017 revealed that the same bacteria gradually went dormant as the soil around them started to dry out. Genetic testing has revealed the presence of numerous naturally occurring strains of bacteria that have adapted to living in the harsh environment.
The doctor indicated. In the past, Schulz-Makuch observes, scientists have discovered dead organisms close to the surface and nucleic acid remnants, but this is the first time they have been able to discover living species in the soil of the Atacama Desert.
He continued by saying that they think these microbial communities can go dormant for hundreds or thousands of years under conditions akin to those on Mars and then reactivate when it rains.
How is life possible on Mars?
Early life may have flourished on Mars’ surface millions of years ago, and as the planet cools and dries out, Martian microbes may have persisted in a similar manner to the Atacama microbe.
Dr. stated it. “If life arose on Mars, our research suggests that it has found a place below the surface to dwell in, as the surface is quite dry,” says Schulze-Makuch in this respect.In order to look for evidence of life, the European team intends to dig two metres into the Martian soil when it lands there in 2021 as part of the ExoMars mission.