WEBSITE LINK à https://lifeeonmars.weebly.

com/

PAGE 1: INTRODUCTION

What is in this assigned image?

The image provides a panoramic perspective of mars in a location titled Yellowknife Bay
region within the Gale Crater of the Red Planet. This image depicts the first rock drilling
activity for rover collection and analysis to deepen scientists and societies understanding of
Mars [2]. However, our exploration of Mars has not only been fuelled by the curiosity and
drive for space exploration, but also to search for life and remains of life. Particularly, Mars
has been considered a possible planet that harboured life in the past, through remnants of
structures that supported the possibility of water flow [8], our curiosity has become greater,
and our utilisation of rovers will offer greater insight to this theory [2].

Key Objective:
The question of life on Mars has intrigued not only scientists for decades but also the rest of
society. Of course, Mars is a tough place for life, so our objective for this website is to
determine Mars’ past and future potential for life.

WHAT IS THE RED PLANET?

Small Planet
1. Mars is only slightly more than half the size of Earth, meaning if the sun were as large
as a grapefruit, Mars would be half the size of the ball point pen.
Fourth Rock
2. Being the fourth planet from the Sun. Mars is approximately 228 million km from the
Sun or 1.52 AU [9].
Rugged Terrain
3. The terrain on Mars has experienced extreme weathering conditions, including
volcanic activity, solar wind deterioration and asteroid impact [3]. As a result of these
events and crustal movements overtime, the Martian planet has observable rocky
features, and these topographical observations have provided insight into past
conditions on Mars which we will investigate later [7].
Goldilocks Zone:
4. The 'Goldilocks Zone,' is the orbital range that supports the necessary environmental
conditions for water to remain liquid under appropriate atmospheric conditions [9].
Although Mars exists outside of this zone of habitability, evidence suggests that water
once flowed on Mars. Through a series of topographical observations and robotic
space missions, this theory has been supported to be true [7].
Historical Context:
However, before we sent spacecraft to Mars, our knowledge was limited to telescopic
observations, as depicted in diagram 1.0 drawn by Percival Lowell. Interpreting these
observations as canals that were built by intelligent Martians to transport water from the
polar caps to irrigate the planet [12]. However, this was evidently debunked as we had
spacecrafts take photographs and even the most prominent canals observed were missing.
This was largely due to the atmospheric disturbance of the Earth that distorted the telescopes
[12].

Martian Conditions:
I do also recommend bringing a spacesuit, presently Mars is a dry desert world with surface
temperature of −60°C [6], these uninhabitable surface conditions make even the toughest life
forms from Earth unable to survive. Although missions have provided valid evidence for H2O
on Mars, there has unfortunately been no findings of liquid water. There have only been
observations of only ice, vapour as well as structural traces of the action of past liquid water
[6]. However, this does not debunk the hypothesis of Life on Mars, only creates justification
to why no life has been found presently.

PAGE 2: ROVER MISSIONS

Breakdown of assigned image:

The object is NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover. Curiosity is the biggest and most proficient rover
sent to mars. From its launch on November 26th, 2011, it landed on the Martian planet on
August 5th 2021 [2]. Scientists have always been concerned with microbial existence on Mars
which is why curiosity set out to answer the question:

Did the Martian planet ever have appropriate environmental conditions for microbes to
survive?

Carrying a greater repertoire of scientific instruments [5], this was also the most challenging
rover to land on Mars to date. Through a process known as “sky crane” [2], observe diagram
1.2, its descent was much more accurate than previous Mars missions [6]. This rover occupies
seismometers which studies the planets seismic activity [5], cameras to assist in photographic
evidence of the Martian surface, a 'ChemCam' to assist in the identification of mineral
composition, and many more that allow for the generation of accurate 3D models of the
planet's interior, hopefully finding evidence for past life [5].

The Curiosity Rover’s continuation of exploration on Mars has been to further understand the
rock record of Mars in the past that could support microbial life both chemically and
geologically [4]. Moreover, Martian’s history of climate and geology is evident in the
chemistry and structural formation of the rocks and soil [2]. Curiosity analyses these samples
as powders by drilling into the surface, simultaneously measuring the chemical fingerprints
that are present in different rocks and soils to record their composition and history,
specifically whether there may have been interaction with water [8].
Discoveries made by Curiosity Rover:
1. Curiosity discovered that the Martian atmosphere contained forms of hydrogen,
carbon and argon which indicated a thicker atmosphere in the distant past.
2. Using Curiosities Sample Analyser Instrument, it obtained samples drilled from
Mount Sharp, a geomorphological location on Mars and found organic carbon (a
basic building block for life) [5].
3. Curiosity uncovered sulfur, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen in the distant past which
are key ingredients for life. Indicating that Mars had the correct chemical makeup
to support habitability of microorganisms [5].
4. Curiosity encountered further structural changes in the surface which indicated
water run-off.

Associated Missions

Topographical Evidence
With reference to diagram 1.1, the Martian Planet was measured by instruments on the Mars
Global Surveyor spacecraft [7]. By utilising a laser altimeter which is an instrument that
essentially bounces laser beams of the surface of the Martian planet, the height of its surface
features can be determined. Hence, the topography of Mars indicates features that look like
rivers flowing into an area that could theoretically be an ocean [7]. To further understand this
image, the red areas are higher, and the blue areas are lower, indicating the possibility of sea
levels [8]. Additionally, the orbiter was able analyse the composition of the surface minerals,
its magnetic field, and atmospheric conditions. This assisted the curiosity rover (object in the
assigned image) to determine its flight path, landing site and heighten the probability of
finding evidence for microbial life on the Martian Planet.

Viking Lander
In 1976, NASA operated a mission whereby two Viking landers were successfully landed on
the Martian Planet. The Viking 1 lander (diagram 1.2) provided insight to the atmosphere as
scientists concluded a temperature of around -43° C and -123°C [11]. Moreover, both Viking
mission carried out detailed analysis to search for the presence of life, unfortunately finding
no evidence. Yet, an example of an experiment conducted to test for presence of microbial
life:
• Gas Chromatograph – This process identified organic molecules and water in the soil,
which is similarly depicted in the assigned image as the Curiosity Rover also occupied
this instrument [11].

Spirit & Opportunity

In 2004, NASA selected the landing site for Spirit with the basis that it looked like the Gusev
Crater had pre-existing river flow, giving evidence that it may have been a lake. However,
Spirit did not produce very conclusive evidence of water in its initial missions [11].
However, NASA selected the second landing site for Opportunity (diagram 1.3) through the
basis of the Mars Global surveyor orbiter. Specifically, they found that the orbiter showed
evidence for the presence of a mineral known as hematite which is an iron oxide that usually
forms in the environment of liquid water [6]. Indeed, this was further justified by Steve
Squyres remarking “we have concluded that the rocks here were once soaked in liquid water”,
concluding that Opportunity has analysed various changes in texture and various minerals
being present.

Phoenix Lander
Through the utilisation of the global surveyor in 2007 the Mars Phoenix Spacecraft was
stationed to land in the polar regions. With reference to the image, just under the surface, it
was concluded that ice existed on Mars. By collecting appropriate samples for further testing,
it was concluded to be water ice. This supports the evidence of water in the distant past which
may have been able to harbour life [10].

PAGE 3: FURTHER EVIDENCE

What is this Martian meteorite?

So, what other evidence do we have that supports Life on Mars? Martian meteorites are
rocks that have been knocked off Mars by the impact of an asteroid and landed on Earth.
With reference to the image, this is the famous Martian meteorite ALH84001 [1]. It was
hypothesised to have had water flowing through it as it had deposited carbonate globules
which are minerals that can only form in the presence of water. Through analysis of the
meteorite, it was discovered to have qualities that supported the basis of microbial life, this
includes:
1. The existence of microscopic structure that resembled fossilised bacteria [14].
2. Organic molecules were detected, for example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
which are common breakdown products of living organisms [14].
3. The observation of magnetite crystals that is similarly produced by magnetotactic
bacteria on earth [14].
Controversies?
Although possible, there exists controversies with these findings as non-biological arguments
can justify the same observations in the Martian meteorite, for example, the fossilised
bacteria are just too small to exist [14]. Indeed, this rift within the scientific community will
drive their studies to further understand the red planet.
Presence of methane on Mars:
We are now familiar that Mars’ atmosphere is too hash for organisms to exist. However, some
say the atmosphere can give us a look into the past. From NASA’s findings, they hypothesised
that shortly after the Martian planet’s formation, there existed a thick atmosphere that
provided conditions for life [6].

It was believed Mars’ atmosphere was composed mostly of carbon dioxide, however, due to
the dissipation of the magnetic field protection, the Martian atmosphere deteriorated
because of solar winds [6]. This resulted in a thin atmosphere being primarily composed of
approximately 95% CO2, 2% Nitrogen and 2% argon (diagram 2.0).
Yet! In 2004, a group of scientists detected a presence of Methane in the Martian
atmosphere through ground based telescopic observations. Although controversial, the
Curiosity Rover supported this finding by utilising its direct sampling to detect the presence
of Methane during the seasons of Autumn [13]. This provides insight into the biological or
geological movement of the planet as Methane in Earth’s atmosphere is a result of
methanogens which is a type of microorganism.

PAGE 4: CONCLUSION

You may be slightly overwhelmed with the amount of information, so feel free to navigate
back to each page and check out the Q & A. But the question remains, where is all the life?
Well, there are major factors to why life is so rare, specifically on Mars:
1. Even the simplest cells are very complex.
2. The probability of life forming by chance is incredibly small.
3. Harsh atmospheric conditions
4. No global magnetic field
Let’s go back 4.1-3.7 billion years ago, this is during the Noachian time period [6]. Cumulative
evidence suggests the existence of liquid water on the Martian planet which could indicate
habitability for microbes. We need to understand, there will always inevitably be a
controversiality and difference in viewpoints, which is why there is no consensus to whether
there is, or is not, Life on Mars.

PAGE 5: QUESTIONS

1. Through telescopic observations and robotic detection on the Martian Planet, what
gas was found to be present that could indicate the possibility of life? When did these
fluctuations take place?
2. We became familiar with the way the Curiosity Rover descended onto the Martian
Planet; how did they do this? And what name did they give this process?
3. Through ongoing explorations and missions on Mars, we have come to better
understand the Martian Planet, what mineral did Spirit or Opportunity find? How does
this indicate the possibility of life?

TOTAL WORDS: 1984 words

Reference List:

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[2] Home | Curiosity – NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. (2021).
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[11] Every Mission to Mars, Ever. The Planetary Society. (2021). Retrieved 11 November 2021, from
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[12] NASA - The 'Canali' and the First Martians. Nasa.gov. (2021). Retrieved 11 November 2021, from
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[13] NASA Scientists Closer to Explaining Mars Methane Mystery. NASA. (2021). Retrieved 11 November
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ts%20alike.&text=The%20TLS%20has%20measured%20less,an%20Olympic%2Dsize%20swimming%20po
ol.

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