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| The white material in this Martian gully, captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2009, is believed to be dusty water ice, which scientists consider a promising site for searching for microbial life on Mars today. |
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| These holes on Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier, formed by cryoconite melting into the ice, create small pockets of water. Scientists believe similar pockets could form within dusty water ice on Mars. |
While no definitive evidence of life has been found on Mars, a recent NASA study suggests that meltwater beneath the planet’s icy surface may provide a suitable environment for microbial life.
Using computer modeling, the study demonstrates that sunlight can penetrate Martian water ice, potentially allowing photosynthesis in shallow pools of meltwater below. Similar ecosystems on Earth, found within ice, support various life forms, including algae and cyanobacteria.
Lead author Aditya Khuller from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory emphasizes the importance of Martian ice as a potential habitat for life. The study, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, focuses on water ice formed from ancient Martian snow mixed with dust, which may create conditions for meltwater pools.
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| The white edges of the gullies in Mars’ Terra Sirenum are thought to be dusty water ice, where scientists believe meltwater could form beneath the surface, potentially enabling photosynthesis. This enhanced-color image shows blue hues that would not be visible to the human eye. |
The presence of dark dust in the ice could allow it to absorb more sunlight, warming the ice and enabling melting beneath the surface. While scientists debate the likelihood of surface melting due to Mars’ thin atmosphere, the study posits that subsurface conditions differ significantly, potentially allowing for meltwater formation.
On Earth, similar processes occur in cryoconite holes, where dust particles absorb sunlight, creating pockets of meltwater that support life. Co-author Phil Christensen notes that this phenomenon is common and suggests that Martian ice could melt from within, creating conditions conducive to life.
The study proposes that photosynthesis could occur as deep as 9 feet below the surface, where the ice shields meltwater from evaporation and harmful radiation. The most promising locations for these subsurface pools are thought to be in Mars’ tropical regions, between 30 and 60 degrees latitude. Khuller plans to replicate Martian icy conditions in the lab to further explore this possibility. The research also aims to identify specific locations on Mars for future missions to search for signs of life.