did you hear about this?

Data from the Opportunity rover confirmed that Mars had the conditions could have hosted life.  When you think that organisms exist in volcanoes on earth where temperatures get very hot, this doesn’t seem like a stretch.  We often assume that conditions have to be exactly as they are on the surface of our planet or within a small range of difference for this to happen.  However, although this might be a good indicator of a planet’s possibility to host organisms, it is by no means a necessity.

Here is the compound that they think would indicate such phenomenon:

But where would life most likely gain energy from its surroundings? One possibility is in an environment that includes “green rust,” a partially oxidized iron mineral. A fully oxidized iron “rust” — one exposed to oxidation for long enough — turns orangey-red, similar to the color of Mars’ regolith. When oxidization is incomplete, however, the iron rust is greenish.

“From an environmental science perspective, green rust can absorb and concentrate nutrients, and can also accept and donate electrons for life,” said Barge.

That’s pretty cool.  A bit of a reach in my opinion but neat and definitely a possibility worth exploring further.  Here is also a cool video about life on Mars in general we hope you enjoy it!

thanks to Elizabeth Howell with space.com for the info

Mars however is not the only planet or object in our solar system that potentially hosted or hosts organisms. Although there has yet to be 100% proof, comet 67p for example has remnants of compounds that could indicate past organisms on its surface.  Also the moon Titan has some unusual waves and liquid on the surface that has yet to be examined further.  Here is a video listing out 5 of the most unusual objects in out solar system.