Meteorite From Mars Might Show Signs Of Lifeforms
- 9 years ago
A meteorite that impacted Earth in 2011 might contain signs of biological life that existed on Mars.
A meteorite that impacted Earth in 2011 might contain signs of biological life that existed on Mars.
The Tissint meteorite landed in the desert of Morocco after being sent into space by an asteroid collision on Mars an estimated 700 thousand years ago.
Several people reportedly witnessed the meteorite’s landing, and it was collected shortly after making impact.
An international team of researchers found fissures containing organic material that might have been deposited by the presence of fluid in its parent rock on our neighboring red planet.
The material contains traces of carbon that the researchers think originated biologically before the rock left Mars during an asteroid impact.
Philippe Gillet who worked on the study is quoted as saying: "I'm completely open to the possibility that other studies might contradict our findings. However, our conclusions are such that they will rekindle the debate as to the possible existence of biological activity on Mars -- at least in the past."
Data from the study supports the theory that the meteorite’s carbon came from biological activity on Mars, but researchers are considering the possibility that the organic matter might have come from meteorites that landed on the surface of Mars.
A meteorite that impacted Earth in 2011 might contain signs of biological life that existed on Mars.
The Tissint meteorite landed in the desert of Morocco after being sent into space by an asteroid collision on Mars an estimated 700 thousand years ago.
Several people reportedly witnessed the meteorite’s landing, and it was collected shortly after making impact.
An international team of researchers found fissures containing organic material that might have been deposited by the presence of fluid in its parent rock on our neighboring red planet.
The material contains traces of carbon that the researchers think originated biologically before the rock left Mars during an asteroid impact.
Philippe Gillet who worked on the study is quoted as saying: "I'm completely open to the possibility that other studies might contradict our findings. However, our conclusions are such that they will rekindle the debate as to the possible existence of biological activity on Mars -- at least in the past."
Data from the study supports the theory that the meteorite’s carbon came from biological activity on Mars, but researchers are considering the possibility that the organic matter might have come from meteorites that landed on the surface of Mars.