Life on our planet could have originated thanks to organic molecules that were carried by asteroids. But, according to recent research, the same molecules were present on Mars, and they were introduced 4.5 billion years ago. In addition, the planet had large reserves of water. This means that the Red Planet also had everything necessary for the origin of life. Moreover, according to scientists, the conditions here were even better than on Earth. This means that the search for traces of life on the Red Planet has a good chance of being crowned with success.
On Mars there were better conditions for the origin of life than on Earth
Ancient asteroids are easier to study on Mars
The solar system has an asteroid belt, as well as four rocky planets, including Earth and Mars. Soon after the formation of these planets, they began to be subjected to severe bombardment, when a stream of asteroids began to literally fall into the inner part of the Solar system.
Scientists can now explore those asteroids thanks to Mars. Unfortunately, our planet does not provide such an opportunity. This is due to the fact that over time, space objects that fall on the planet become part of its crust. However, the earth's crust is known to contain many tectonic plates that are in motion. For this reason, ancient meteorites moved deep into the bowels of the planet. The surface of Mars is motionless, since its crust is solid. This means that ancient asteroids and meteorites that crashed into the planet were preserved in the same position and in the same places where they were several billion years ago.
There are no lithospheric plates on Mars, which is why meteorites and asteroids have been preserved
As a result, scientists were able to analyze more than 30 ancient Martian meteorites. With this study, the authors wanted to answer a number of important questions about their origins. In particular, the researchers were interested in where they came from – from the inner or outer part of the solar system. In addition, it was important to find out whether asteroids and meteorites contained organic material that could provide the origin of life.
Asteroids brought materials for the origin of life to Mars
By studying chromium isotopes, researchers discovered that the meteorites were carbonaceous chondrites that arrived on Mars from the outer solar system. Considering the number of these asteroids on the Red Planet, as well as the fact that 10% of them are made of ice, scientists have concluded that there was enough water on the planet for the emergence of life.
As a result of the “bombardment” asteroids, Mars could be completely covered with a layer of water 307 meters thick. By the way, scientists recently discovered reserves of ice on the Red Planet, which are enough to flood the entire surface with water.
Asteroids delivered large amounts of water and organic molecules to Mars
The study also showed that asteroids brought organic molecules, including amino acids, to the inner solar system. These materials are necessary for the formation of RNA and DNA. Therefore, scientists believe that they served as raw materials for the origin of life.
The study also found that Mars suffered massive asteroid impacts during the first 100 million years of its evolution. Moreover, they contained organic molecules. That is, the Red Planet had everything necessary for the origin of life. Scientists report this in the journal Science Advances.
Why life could have originated on Mars
According to researchers, conditions on young Mars were ideal for the origin of life, unlike Earth. Even if our planet also had everything necessary for the emergence of life, it experienced a catastrophic event that left no chance for ancient microorganisms to survive.
A collision between the Earth and the planet Theia would have destroyed emerging life
We are talking about a collision with the planet Theia, which was similar in size to Mars. Let us remember that as a result of this event the Moon appeared. Presumably this happened 4.46 billion years ago. Let us recall that the age of our planet is 4.54 billion years.
Thus, if life arose before the collision with Thya, after this event it had to form again. In the history of Mars, there were no catastrophes of this magnitude until the planet lost its magnetic field.
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By the way, the Moon indirectly contributed to the saturation of the Earth's atmosphere with oxygen. Therefore, we can say that without the collision of our planet with the planet Theia, intelligent life could hardly exist at present.