Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
A recent study proposes that life might have existed on Mars billions of years ago.
Scientists at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, analyzed a meteorite called Northwest Africa 7034, also known as “Black Beauty,” which was discovered in Morocco’s Sahara Desert in 2011. Within the meteorite, they identified a small zircon crystal featuring thin, onion-like layers of aluminum and iron, according to a report by New Scientist.
Co-author of the study, Aaron Cavosie, noted that such zircons typically form in regions with hydrothermal activity, where hot water systems interact with magma. “The hot water enables the transport of iron, aluminum, and sodium into the crystal as it grows in layers,” Cavosie explained. He also described the meteorite as a “remarkable repository of Martian history,” containing both ancient and relatively young rock fragments, with many being among the oldest Martian rocks ever found.
Dr. Jack Gillespie, lead author of the study, explained, “By examining certain minerals within this meteorite, we uncovered evidence of hydrothermal activity in Mars’ crust dating back approximately 4.45 billion years. This occurred just 100 million years after the planet’s formation. The meteorite originates from the southern highlands of Mars, a region known for its ancient geological history.”
The study’s abstract highlights that detailed microscopy of an impact-shocked zircon from the regolith breccia meteorite NWA7034 has revealed textural and chemical signs of hydrothermal activity on Mars during its formation, around 4.45 billion years ago. “Element distribution maps show sharp alternating zoning characterized by significant enrichments of non-formula elements like Fe, Al, and Na, along with pervasive nanoscale magnetite inclusions,” the abstract explains. These features resemble those found in terrestrial zircon formed in the presence of aqueous fluids, suggesting the zircon crystallized from hydrous fluids during that period.
Eva Scheller of Stanford University emphasized the significance of the discovery, stating, “At an age of 4.5 billion years, this evidence places us at the time of Mars’ formation and provides insight into the planet’s earliest interactions with water.”
Meanwhile, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has expressed aspirations to establish a self-sustaining human colony on Mars. According to MountBonnell, Musk envisions a Martian city capable of housing up to one million people by 2054, relying on cutting-edge technology to adapt to Mars’ challenging environment.
Musk has also suggested that efforts to colonize Mars could drive the development of groundbreaking technologies.
Musk recently shared on X that, “Even if we don’t succeed in establishing a self-sustaining Mars colony, the sheer ambition of the goal will lead to the development of advanced, ‘alien-level’ technology far superior to that of competitors focused solely on Earth orbit.”
