Astrophysicist investigates the possibility of life below the surface of
Mars

Date:
July 28, 2020
Source:
New York University
Summary:
Although no life has been detected on the Martian surface, a
new study from astrophysicist and research scientist finds that
conditions below the surface could potentially support it.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Although no life has been detected on the Martian surface, a new study
from astrophysicist and research scientist at the Center for Space
Science at NYU Abu Dhabi, Dimitra Atri finds that conditions below the
surface could potentially support it. The subsurface -- which is less
harsh and has traces of water -- has never been explored. According to
Atri, the steady bombardment of penetrating Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs)
might provide the energy needed to catalyze organic activity there.


========================================================================== Atri's findings are reported in the study Investigating the biological potential of galactic cosmic ray-induced radiation-driven chemical disequilibrium in the Martian subsurface environment in the journal
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature.

There is growing evidence suggesting the presence of an aqueous
environment on ancient Mars, raising the question of the possibility
of a life-supporting environment. The erosion of the Martian atmosphere resulted in drastic changes in its climate, surface water disappeared, shrinking habitable spaces on the planet, with only a limited amount
of water remaining near the surface in form of brines and water-ice
deposits. Life, if it ever existed, would have had to adapt to harsh
modern conditions, which include low temperatures and surface pressure,
and high radiation dose.

The subsurface of Mars has traces of water in the form of water-ice
and brines, and undergoes radiation-driven redox chemistry. Using a
combination of numerical models, space mission data, and studies of
deep-cave ecosystems on Earth for his research, Atri proposes mechanisms through which life, if it ever existed on Mars, could survive and be
detected with the upcoming ExoMars mission (2022) by the European Space
Agency and Roscosmos. He hypothesizes that galactic cosmic radiation,
which can penetrate several meters below the surface, will induce chemical reactions that can be used for metabolic energy by extant life, and
host organisms using mechanisms seen in similar chemical and radiation environments on Earth.

"It is exciting to contemplate that life could survive in such a harsh environment, as few as two meters below the surface of Mars," said
Atri. "When the Rosalind Franklin rover on board the ExoMars mission (ESA
and Roscosmos), equipped with a subsurface drill, is launched in 2022,
it will be well-suited to detect extant microbial life and hopefully
provide some important insights."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by New_York_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Dimitra Atri. Investigating the biological potential of galactic
cosmic
ray-induced radiation-driven chemical disequilibrium in the Martian
subsurface environment. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI:
10.1038/ s41598-020-68715-7 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200728113541.htm

--- up 1 week, 6 days, 1 hour, 55 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1337:3/111)