Another undiscovered life on Mars? Bashny.Net

A team of Greek and British scientists said the new discovery in a Martian meteorite: ovoid structure that is very similar to the fossilized organism.





Over the last two centuries of studies of Mars life there "finds" repeatedly. First it was the famous "canals", and scientists earnestly talked about seasonal cycles of vegetation along their shores. Later, the space age has killed hopes of detecting complex structural life. In 1970 Mars made the first and last astrobiological experiments on landers NASA Viking. Initial results of the experiments yielded encouraging results - nutrient broth has begun to seethe that could be considered evidence of microbial activity, but later revised the results and concluded that the cause reactive soil.

Another statement found Martian life not sounded from somewhere - and on the threshold of the White House, in 1996, the then US President Bill Clinton spoke about the discovery, which could become a sensation in the Martian meteorite ALH 84001 found something very reminiscent of fossilized bacteria.



True discovery immediately questioned how US scientists and Russian. Point of "germs" were too small even for microbes, but similar to the natural formation characteristic of volcanic rocks.

Managed to contribute to the buzz around the Martian life and the rover Curiosity. It is not equipped with devices to search for life, but can detect hydrocarbons, ie organic compounds. In his first detailed geological study in 2012, he found high content chloromethanes. However, analyzing the results, the researchers found that organics was found earth - from the cracked vial with the solvent, which is assumed to affect the Martian soil.



The current news came from Europe, and again thanks to the meteorite. Only it's another rock from Mars called «Нахла». In 2006, it had already examined under an electron microscope, and acknowledged that some hints for signs of fossilized life in it. But inconclusive.



After this verdict, a study of the meteorite is not stopped, it sawed into thin plates, and already began to study them. On one of the plates found some oval structure that is in principle very similar to the fossilized microbes.



"Microbe" reviewed almost all available methods to determine the chemical composition of each piece and made a detailed history of the meteorite finds and ovoid.



According to information received, volcanic Martian soil has experienced about 913 million years ago, a meteor strike, which led to instant incandescent rocks and sintering. The second strike occurred 620 million years ago, he melted the permafrost and water soaked future meteorite. Around this time in stone appeared discovered "egg." After that, a stone lying on the bottom of a meteorite crater more than half a year, dries and cod. Finally, 11 million years ago, came another asteroid that hit the surface with such force that the stone is not only flew beyond the atmosphere of Mars, but escaped from its gravitational field, a journey through the solar system. In 1911, the Martian envoy met with the Earth and the meteor shower fell in the Egyptian area Nahla.

Meteorite picked up almost immediately, so he did not have time to type a terrestrial animals. However, researchers say that they have identified a lot of factors that allow confidently say that the found "egg" unequivocally flew "on board" meteorite.

On examination, "microbe" scientists primarily attracted his form - notes that never before met such regular structures. For example, "shell" consists of five layers (L1-L5 in the photo), and inside found two clusters, which are also part of the "eggs».



Minerals that fill the "egg" are clayey nature, and very different from the basaltic glass, which sharpened. Moreover, one of these minerals - Greig ( Greigite ) on Earth is uniquely biological origin. A study of the place of contact of the oval and volcanic glass suggests that Martian microbes are not just stuck in the crack, but still managed to bite and pieces of the glass itself.

Another intriguing detail - the place where the "shell" is open (b). Surprising correct symmetry rounded joints.



I think if the fossil found in terrestrial rocks, no one would even doubt its biological origins. But then Mars, so scientists have developed three scenario in which such a structure could be formed without the participation of life, but with water.



As a result, the researchers conclude: "On the basis of available data, we have to admit that the formation of ovoid structure passed without the participation of life».

In my unprofessional opinion is before us is one of the most convincing to date, evidence for the existence of life in the past of Mars. But Occam's razor is merciless to such views, if you can explain the origin of life without means been without her. Although I would have consulted with microbiologists, may they recognize in this find something familiar?

That is if they find another one like "egg" in the same meteorite or other Martian, then an alien life can speak confidently. While it remains to hope for future Mars missions that will explore Mars remotely or bring a handful of stones. But in Russia the project "Mars-Grunt" is postponed for 2030 e, a program in the US Mars Sample Return is not considered - all the money spent on the rover MSL-2020. So all hope of British scientists with microscopes.

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/239429/