Meteorite shows Martian life likelier than previously believed

A new study has suggested that Martian life is likelier than previously believed as a meteorite from Mars shows traces of possible Martian biological activity inside it

Researchers from China, Japan and Germany at EPFL's Earth and Planetary Sciences Laboratory performed a detailed analysis of organic carbon traces from a Martian meteorite, and have concluded that they have a very probable biological origin.

The scientists argue that carbon could have been deposited into the fissures of the rock when it was still on Mars by the infiltration of fluid that was rich in organic matter.

Ejected from Mars after an asteroid crashed on its surface, the meteorite, named Tissint, fell on the Moroccan desert on July 18, 2011, in view of several eyewitnesses and upon examination, the alien rock was found to have small fissures that were filled with carbon-containing matter.

Several research teams have already shown that this component is organic in nature, but they are still debating where the carbon came from.

Chemical, microscopic and isotope analysis of the carbon material led the researchers to several possible explanations of its origin and they established characteristics that unequivocally excluded a terrestrial origin, and showed that the carbon content were deposited in the Tissint's fissures before it left Mars.

According to the new study, a more likely explanation is that liquids containing organic compounds of biological origin infiltrated Tissint's "mother" rock at low temperatures, near the Martian surface.

Researcher Philippe Gillet said that so far, there is no other theory that they find more compelling, but insisting on certainty is unwise, particularly on such a sensitive topic.

Gillet added that he is completely open to the possibility that other studies might contradict their findings, however, their conclusions are such that they will rekindle the debate as to the possible existence of biological activity on Mars, at least in the past.

The study is published in the scientific journal Meteoritics and Planetary Sciences.