Scientists have long theorized that persistent cycles of wet and dry conditions on land helped assemble the complex chemical building blocks necessary for life. A new discovery by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover provides the first evidence that early Mars may have experienced these conditions.
The rover found a patchwork of well-preserved ancient mud cracks in a rock target nicknamed “Pontours.” The cracks are hexagonal in shape, which is a characteristic pattern formed when mud dries and shrinks. The presence of the mud cracks suggests that Mars experienced repeated wet and dry cycles, perhaps seasonally.
These wet-dry cycles could have created an environment that was favorable for the emergence of microscopic life. Scientists believe that these cycles would have helped to concentrate the chemicals that are needed for life to form, such as water, carbon, and nitrogen. The wet periods would have provided the water and nutrients needed for the chemical reactions, while the dry periods would have helped to concentrate the chemicals and remove any harmful byproducts.
The discovery of the hexagonal mud cracks at Pontours is a major step forward in the search for life beyond Earth. It provides evidence that Mars was once much more habitable than it is today, and that it may have had the right conditions for the origin of life.
The discovery also raises the possibility that Mars may still harbor life today. The mud cracks are located in a region that is now cold and dry, but they could have formed in a much warmer and wetter climate. It is possible that life on Mars survived the harsh conditions of the past and is still present today.
The discovery of the Pontours mud cracks is a reminder that Mars is a planet with a rich and complex history. It is a place where we may yet find the answers to some of the biggest questions about the origin and evolution of life in the universe.
Reference:
Ancient mud cracks on Mars suggest Red Planet may have been more habitable than thought – Space.com
Cracks in Ancient Martian Mud Surprise NASA’s Curiosity Rover Team – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Sustained wet–dry cycling on early Mars – Nature
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THIS WEEK IN STAR TREK HISTORY
12 August
1910 – Jane Wyatt is born.
1921 – Walter “Matt” Jefferies is born.
1942 – Stephen Brooks is born.
1956 – Bruce Greenwood is born.
2014 – Arlene Martel dies.
13 August
1944 – Kevin Tighe is born.
1961 – Dawnn Lewis is born.
1999 – Charles Macaulay dies.
2006 – Tony Jay dies.
14 August
1953 – James Horner is born.
1965 – Brannon Braga is born.
15 August
1933 – Bjo Trimble is born.
1943 – Barbara Bouchet is born.
16 August
1933 – Julie Newmar is born.
1939 – Maurice Hurley is born.
2002 – Jeff Corey dies.
2009 – Ed Reimers dies.
2012 – William Windom dies.
17 August
1930 – Harve Bennett is born.
1933 – Glenn Corbett is born.
1968 – Andrew Koenig is born.
2015 – Yvonne Craig dies.
2021 – Eddie Paskey dies.
18 August
1969 – Christian Slater is born.
1998 – Persis Khambatta dies.
2020 – Ben Cross dies.
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The United Federation Starfleet Blog is written by Fleet Captain Hal Jordan and is published every Friday. Join in the discussion! Engage with us on Discord at: discord.io/ufstarfleet
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