Robert Fabian

The possibility of life on Mars

Living on planet Earth, some people may assume Earth is the only planet with life in
the solar system. This may not be true.
There could be vast proportion of planet where life may exist. In Mars, there have
been traces of evidence indicating life might have existed in the red planet aeons
ago.
Currently the planet has a desert feature without vegetation. There are no ocean,
rainforest and tropical landscape in the planet. The planet experiences wind and
dust storms.
Some people may assume planet suitable for life has the same characteristic
feature as earth. This may not be true. Some scientist speculates if live existed in
Mars, the atmosphere was colder due to the long distance from the sun. The planet
may have also had environmental features different to earth aeons ago.
Most scientists believe life might have existed in Mars during its early history.
Robotic space vehicles sent to mars have discovered fossils and microorganism
buried beneath the soil. Frozen lakes have also been discovered in the red planet.
Planetary geologist John Murray of Britain Open University believes the discovery of
frozen water in Mars indicates the planet might have supported life for
microorganism in its early history.

Geologists have found fossil on Earth dating back four billion years ago. They
discover in earths early history, microorganism interacted in ocean waters. This can
indicate both planets had similar historical events.
Astronomers believe the poles in Mars may have been oceans since these poles
possess vast amount of glaciers and liquid water. Mars rover exploration has
captured some images of geyser activities within the poles.
Based on the current geographic feature of Mars, astronomers have developed
model of the planet historical evolution. The NBI Mars group from the University of
Copenhagen develop historical models of Mars periodic history.
They discovered over the last billion years, Mars has been turning into a dried
desert. Overtime, the oceans have turn into frozen glaciers as the temperatures
continue to decline.
Currently Mars has a thin atmosphere, this deprives the planet from retaining heat
temperature. The environment in Mars has many disadvantages for human
settlement. Since the planet has no greenhouse gas, it is impossible growing food
production in the planet. Since the planet lost its magnetosphere during its early
history, the planet cannot produce rain showers.
Since no one has ever visited the planet, it is difficult to assume if the planet has
life. We can only study and view the planet through robotic vehicles and satellites.
A few years ago, Mars ONE announced it would send people to a one way trip to
Mars. The purpose of this trip is to discover more information about the planet and
colonise it. This trip will help answer questions about the history and environment of
Mars.