Scientists have first reported a discovery that can be considered a possible trace of life on Mars. In July 2024, the Perseverance highlight, studied the bottom of the Horewa crater, took a sample of rocks named Sapiryan Gorge. The conversation said that the analysis showed that the rock contained two iron minerals associated with bacterial activity on Earth.
This refers to Vivianite (iron phosphate) and grayy (iron sulfide), which are typical of "leopard spots."
"Vivianite is usually formed on Earth, while grayy can be formed by microorganisms that the sulfur is used for energy," said Astrabilogen at the University of Florida.
On our planet, such combinations often take place in the so-called oxida-reco-reco-reco-reco-reco-reco-reco-recovery zones, where slow oxida-recovery reactions are accelerated by living organisms. This means that billions of microbes on Mars could use similar reactions to get energy.
However, the researchers emphasize that non-biological processes can also make similar results. For example, minerals can occur at high temperatures or acid environments, although there are no traces of such conditions in the rocks.
"We were waiting to see these tracks in older rocks, but instead we discovered them in relatively young rocks. This means that Mars may have left dwelling longer than they previously thought, "Williams said.
The fate of the sample now depends on the Mars Sample Return program. Only by returning the country to the country, scientists will finally determine whether the mysterious "leopard spots" are biologically or are non-biological origin.
Translation of: Euromedia24.com
