👾Astrobiology Unit 7 – The Search for Life on Mars

What's the Deal with Mars?

• Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in our solar system
• Often referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance caused by iron oxide (rust) on its surface
• Mars has a thin atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon
• The planet has a diameter of approximately 6,792 km, about half the size of Earth
• Mars has two small, irregularly shaped moons: Phobos and Deimos
• The average temperature on Mars is around -63°C (-82°F), with lows reaching -143°C (-226°F) and highs up to 35°C (95°F)
  • Temperature variations are due to its thin atmosphere and distance from the Sun
• Mars has a similar rotational period and seasonal cycles to Earth, with a Martian day (sol) lasting about 24 hours and 37 minutes

Life as We Know It

• Life as we know it requires three essential components: liquid water, a source of energy, and organic compounds
• Water is essential for life because it acts as a solvent for biochemical reactions and helps maintain cellular structure
• Energy sources can include sunlight (for photosynthesis) or chemical energy from reactions between minerals and water
• Organic compounds, such as amino acids and nucleotides, are the building blocks of life and are necessary for the formation of proteins and DNA/RNA
• Life on Earth is carbon-based and relies on water as a solvent, but it is possible that life could exist in other forms (e.g., silicon-based or ammonia-based)
• The presence of liquid water, energy sources, and organic compounds on a planet or moon increases the likelihood of finding life
• Earth's life forms are diverse and can survive in a wide range of environments, from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to high-altitude deserts

Mars: Then and Now

• Mars formed around 4.5 billion years ago, along with the rest of the solar system
• In its early history, Mars likely had a thicker atmosphere and liquid water on its surface, as evidenced by geological features such as river valleys and lake basins
• The presence of liquid water on ancient Mars suggests that the planet may have been more habitable in the past
• Over time, Mars lost most of its atmosphere due to its low gravity and lack of a global magnetic field
  • Solar wind stripped away the atmosphere, causing the planet to become colder and drier
• Today, Mars has a thin atmosphere and a mostly dry, cold surface with average temperatures around -63°C (-82°F)
• Despite the harsh current conditions, there is evidence that water ice exists at the poles and in subsurface deposits
• The discovery of organic molecules and methane in the Martian atmosphere has led to speculation about the potential for past or present microbial life on Mars

Water, Water Everywhere?

• The presence of liquid water is crucial for life as we know it, and evidence suggests that Mars once had abundant water on its surface
• Geological features such as river valleys, lake basins, and delta deposits indicate that liquid water flowed on Mars billions of years ago
• The Martian poles contain water ice caps, with the northern polar ice cap containing enough water to cover the planet's surface to a depth of 1.5 meters if melted
• Subsurface water ice has been detected in various locations on Mars, such as the mid-latitudes and the Utopia Planitia region
• Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) are dark streaks that appear on Martian slopes during warmer seasons and may be caused by the flow of briny liquid water
• Subglacial lakes, such as the one discovered beneath the southern polar ice cap, suggest the presence of liquid water in the Martian subsurface
• The presence of hydrated minerals, such as clays and sulfates, in Martian rocks and soil indicates that water played a significant role in the planet's geological history

Martian Atmosphere and Climate

• Mars has a thin atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide (95.3%), nitrogen (2.7%), and argon (1.6%)
• The atmospheric pressure on Mars is about 0.6% of Earth's, averaging around 610 pascals (0.088 psi)
• The thin atmosphere allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface, which can be harmful to potential life forms
• Mars has a carbon dioxide cycle that involves the sublimation and condensation of CO2 at the poles, causing seasonal changes in atmospheric pressure
• The Martian atmosphere contains trace amounts of methane, which could be produced by geological processes or potentially by microbial life
• Dust storms are common on Mars and can grow to encompass the entire planet, lasting for weeks or even months
  • These storms can significantly impact the Martian climate and atmosphere
• The Martian atmosphere is too thin to support liquid water on the surface for extended periods, but it may allow for the formation of briny solutions in certain conditions

Potential Habitats on Mars

• Subsurface environments on Mars may provide potential habitats for microbial life, as they offer protection from harsh surface conditions
• Caves and lava tubes could serve as sheltered environments with more stable temperatures and potentially access to subsurface water ice
• Subglacial lakes, such as the one discovered beneath the southern polar ice cap, may harbor liquid water and provide a potential habitat for microbial life
• Hydrothermal systems, if present on Mars, could provide energy and nutrients for microbial life, similar to hydrothermal vents on Earth's ocean floor
• Ancient lakebeds and river deltas, such as those found in Gale Crater and Jezero Crater, may contain evidence of past habitable environments and potential biosignatures
• Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) may indicate the presence of briny liquid water on Martian slopes, which could potentially support microbial life
• The Martian subsurface, particularly in areas with subsurface water ice or briny aquifers, may provide a more stable and habitable environment compared to the surface

Search Missions and Tech

• Numerous missions have been sent to Mars to study its geology, atmosphere, and potential for past or present life
• Orbiters, such as Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, provide high-resolution imagery and data on the Martian surface and atmosphere
• Landers and rovers, such as Viking 1 and 2, Mars Pathfinder, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance, have explored the Martian surface and conducted experiments to analyze soil, rocks, and atmospheric composition
• The Viking landers (1976) conducted the first experiments to search for signs of life on Mars, with inconclusive results
• The Curiosity rover (2012) discovered evidence of ancient habitable environments in Gale Crater and detected organic molecules in Martian rocks
• The Perseverance rover (2021) is searching for signs of ancient microbial life in Jezero Crater and collecting samples for potential future return to Earth
• Instruments used in Mars missions include cameras, spectrometers, ground-penetrating radar, and sample analysis tools (e.g., gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)
• Future missions may involve sample return, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), and human exploration

Future Plans and Challenges

• Future Mars exploration goals include returning samples to Earth, establishing a human presence, and continuing the search for signs of past or present life
• Sample return missions, such as the Mars Sample Return campaign, aim to bring Martian rocks and soil back to Earth for detailed analysis in laboratories
• Human missions to Mars present significant challenges, including the long travel time, the need for advanced life support systems, and the effects of prolonged spaceflight on human health
• In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies are being developed to produce water, oxygen, and fuel from Martian resources, which could support human missions and reduce the need for supplies from Earth
• Establishing a permanent human presence on Mars would require the development of habitats, power systems, and food production facilities capable of operating in the Martian environment
• The search for life on Mars continues, with future missions focusing on identifying biosignatures and exploring potential habitable environments
• International collaboration and cooperation will be essential for advancing Mars exploration and addressing the scientific and technological challenges involved
• Ethical considerations, such as planetary protection and the potential impact of human presence on the Martian environment, must be addressed as exploration efforts progress