Nature of Life on Mars

Nature of Life on Mars

Introduction

Astrobiology, as a study of life in the universe, has advanced through multidisciplinary approaches in the nature, existence, and research on extraterrestrial life. Despite the significant progress made in the astronomy field, much remains a mystery in the outer space. Modern technology, particularly advancements in satellites and modern telescopes, humans can employ different disciplinary approaches to study possibilities of life exists outside of earth. This paper develops an astrobiology analysis of Planet Mars by identifying types of life forms that could survive on Mars and examining the scientific claims of the possibilities.

Species that Could Survive on Mars

Mars is considered as a planet whose proximity and similarity to earth has adopted much astrobiological interest in the near past. Mars is among the three candidates under research for their support of life, including moons in Jupiter and Saturn. The element of proximity, the distance between earth and Mars, and dry land similarities have steered more emphasis on astrobiology research on Mars. All gases found in the earth’s atmosphere are present in Mars’ although in different composition forms. The composition, high pressure, and high radiation, however, develop as huge constraints to life survival with scientists studying the harshest life forms that could survive such environments. Algae, cyanobacteria, lichens, and methanogens are considered as possible candidates that could survive on Mars (Mickol & Kral, 2017; Rathi, 2017; Hsu, 2014). The research studies on these earthly forms are still theoretical and under development, and the studies establish a need for modifications to cope with the challenging conditions of Mars.

Scientific Claims

1. Methanogens

Methanogen is a diverse phylogenetic group of anaerobic organisms. There are over 155 species that had been discovered by 2016 and are classified under phylum Euryarchaeota (Holmes & Smith, 2016). Of the 155 species, a study at the University of Arkansas established four species that survived conditions enhanced to match those of mars. The species were Methanothermobacter wolfeii, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium formicicum, Methanococcus maripaludis, which passed the survivability test of low-pressure conditions close to those of the martian surface (Mickol & Kral, 2017).

Methanogens are anaerobic organisms that do not require oxygen or organic nutrients and are non-photosynthetic; hence, they can survive low oxygen levels on Mars. Mars’ atmosphere’s composition consists of 95.32% of carbon dioxide, which would act as a carbon source for the metabolism of the methanogens and other future organisms under the Archaea classification domain.

1. Algae and cyanobacteria

Algae is a highly considered earth organism for survival in Mars after several experiments, including in 2016, when two algae species survived 16 months exposure n the outer space. The two algae species that survived two-year exposure in the outer space were Sphaerocystis and Nostoc species found in Norwegian archipelago and Antarctica, respectively. Their survival was due to their adaptability to withstand extremely cold conditions and self-protection from radiation using the carotenoid component.

Unlike Methanogens, algae are photosynthetic, and lack of habitable conditions in the Mars’ surface would act as a constraint, hence the double experiment with cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria is a photosynthetic bacteria claimed by scientists to be responsible for the earth’s atmosphere around 3.5 million years ago. Scientists believe that the bacteria, among others through photosynthesis to have created the current atmosphere through gases such as ammonia and methane, and its growth in Mars could establish similar transformations as on earth millions of years back. Scientists have found the ability of the species to photosynthesize in low light conditions identical to those in mars, and theorists hold a belief that similar species of cyanobacteria could already be existent on the planet.

• Lichens

Lichens have not been examined under similar conditions as other plants, but scientists believe the species can survive on the planet. Richard Armstrong (2019) identified evidence for lichen survival on Mars. First, lichens are extremophiles meaning their adaptability to survival in earth’s extreme environments would aid their ability to survive on Mars. Secondly, satellite and telescope images of Mars’ surface indicate lichen-like species on its surface, raising the possibility that they could be existence already. Finally, earth’s lichens contain alga, with some species of algae indicating survival in outer space. Although theorists consider the plant’s survival, there exists little scientific evidence to prove the species’ existence on Mars, and more research findings may occur in the future as Astronomy agencies around the world continue investing in life on

Mars.

The existence of life forms on Mars is highly evident, although its nature remains uncertain to date. Astronomical images indicate a high likelihood of life on Mars, but scientific findings limit drawing conclusions, and thus, only theoretical arguments based on the subject. The past decade has, however, seen considerable advancements in the subject as species identified in the essay established their abilities to survive currently known conditions of Mars. The current existent data retrieved from a Martian rock found on Antarctica from Mars in 1996 indicate that the form of life in Mars as abiotic rather than biological. This presents a scenario where astrobiology, as a multidisciplinary approach, findings on life adopt huge controversies as another field of study nullifies its conclusions. There’s, however, a general belief that through more research, species with the ability to survive on mars can be identified and modified to cope through all the conditions of the planet.

The general perspective of life existence on mars and the scientific evidence differs in Methanogens, species that have received substantial research interests. Methanogens are considered as the earth’s most primitive prokaryotic that can survive inhabitance on illite clay (Kern, 2018). The study also indicated the ability to survive in variations of temperatures, both high and low. This develops within the scientific understanding of Martian temperatures, which can range from between -90 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celcius (IFLScience, n.d). According to the researchers, the variations in temperature inhibit the growth of the organisms. Still, with time they develop adaptations to metabolize during high temperatures and survival during the low temperatures. Researchers seek to establish mechanisms that allow the microorganisms to survive these conditions, including low pressure estimated to be more six times the most moderate pressure on earth’s surface, Mount Everest. Currently, we can rule out the survival of any earth life on mars, but with more research insights, it could just be a matter of time.

 Conclusion

The past few years have experienced a significant shift of focus in astrobiology, particularly in studies for the nature of life existence on the planet. In this paper, we establish three notable species of focus as methanogens, algae, and cyanobacteria after research studies indicated their abilities to survive the harshest conditions of the planet. The studies are, however, limited by the human knowledge of planet Mars and thus reliance on astrology theories and assumptions pertaining to the existence of nature on the planet. The focus on planet Mars has seen massive interest in planet Mars and this focus is seen as the final understanding of Mars life. In a few years, we might have a concise knowledge of Mars’s biological existence.

References

Holmes, D. E., & Smith, J. A. (2016). Biologically produced methane as a renewable energy source. In Advances in applied microbiology (Vol. 97, pp. 1-61). Academic Press.

Kern, C. (2018). Methanogens, Plausible Extraterrestrial Life Forms on Mars, and their Tolerance to Increasing Concentrations of Illite Clay.

Mickol, R. L., & Kral, T. A. (2017). Low-pressure tolerance by methanogens in an aqueous environment: implications for subsurface life on Mars. Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, 47(4), 511-532.

ScienceDaily. (2017). Algae survive heat, cold and cosmic radiation. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170207104231.htm [Accessed 5 Mar. 2020].