NASA’s Curiosity rover has found evidence on Mars that the planet once bore an oxygen-rich atmosphere similar to that of Earth’s.
NASA‘s Curiosity rover has made some interesting discoveries on Mars, though this could be one of the most exciting yet.
While using its laser-firing instrument in Mars’ Gale Crater, Curiosity found rocks with traces of manganese oxide which would require oxygen to form.
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Researchers have theorised, after taking note of the discovery, that Mars could have had both water and a protective magnetic field as the Earth does now. Presently, the theories indicate that once Mars’ magnetic field disappeared, radiation ionized the planet’s water – splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers have posited that due to the existence of manganese-oxide – which requires a great deal more oxygen to form in comparison to iron-oxide, which is also found on Mars’ surface – that the planet could have had more oxygen in its past than previously thought.
The revelation is a somewhat disappointing one for those who want to believe in the possibility of alien life on Mars; previously, the presence of oxygen has been thought to be a sign of life.
Nina Lanza, a researcher based in Los Alamos who is the lead author on a new report detailing Martian manganese oxides, elaborated that the discovery could alter theories on how planets become oxygenated in the first place.
“The only ways on Earth that we know how to make these manganese materials involve atmospheric oxygen or microbes… Now we’re seeing manganese oxides on Mars, and we’re wondering how the heck these could have formed? It’s important to note that this idea represents a departure in our understanding for how planetary atmospheres might become oxygenated,” Lanza said.
Read: NASA releases 360-degree footage of Mars
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Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
Source: JPL
