Meteorite Hints At Life on Mars - EPFL Researchers Present Possibility
Our scientists are constantly searching for a trace of living things on other celestial bodies in the space. Though theories & counter-theories are produced every now and then, a recent evidence of life found on a meteorite hurled from our very neighboring planet Mars, has grabbed the world's attention. This meteorite landed on earth on 18th July 2011 in a Moroccan desert and it is believed that it had broken away from Mars 700,000 years ago. This remarkable findings are the work of a team of researchers from EPFL institute. Let us take a look at the things that helped the researchers reach at such a sensitive conclusion from this tissint meteorite.
To begin with,The cracks on the fallen meteorite were filled with some matter which contains carbon. Those carbon traces lead the scientists to a conclusion that life could exist on Mars. But this life form is different from life as we know on earth. According to Philippe Gillet, the Director of Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne’s Earth and Planetary Sciences Laboratory, so far there is no other theory that they find more compelling.
Various tests were performed on that fallen meteorite by scientists from China, Japan and Germany teamed with Philippe Gillet and they came up with a theory that suggests organic matter in those cracks was filled with the help of water, while it was on the surface of Mars. Chemical characteristics of the carbon material draws two conclusion, first it is organic and second it is not from earth. The researchers also say that the levels of certain radioactive isotopes of carbon are similar to those present in a piece of coal.
Gillet also quoted that, they are open to other studies that will contradict their conclusions and also admits that their conclusion will revive the debate on the biological activity on mars. Share your views about the possibility about the existence of life on Red Planet-Mars via comments below.
Source: Traces of possible Martian biological activity inside a meteorite - EPFL
To begin with,The cracks on the fallen meteorite were filled with some matter which contains carbon. Those carbon traces lead the scientists to a conclusion that life could exist on Mars. But this life form is different from life as we know on earth. According to Philippe Gillet, the Director of Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne’s Earth and Planetary Sciences Laboratory, so far there is no other theory that they find more compelling.
Various tests were performed on that fallen meteorite by scientists from China, Japan and Germany teamed with Philippe Gillet and they came up with a theory that suggests organic matter in those cracks was filled with the help of water, while it was on the surface of Mars. Chemical characteristics of the carbon material draws two conclusion, first it is organic and second it is not from earth. The researchers also say that the levels of certain radioactive isotopes of carbon are similar to those present in a piece of coal.
Source: Traces of possible Martian biological activity inside a meteorite - EPFL
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