CALIFORNIA, iNews.id – Most current research focuses on the planet’s surface looking for evidence of life on Mars. But, Education new researchers JAXA suggesting that there is another location to look for for preserved ancient microorganisms: the Martian moon, Phobos.
“Mars is not alone in having two small moons, Phobos and Deimos,” the authors wrote.
Furthermore, the authors explain, throughout the history of Mars, many asteroid impacts on Mars have resulted in Martian impact explosions, and a small part of the ejected material has been sent to its moon.
They argue that because Phobos is closer to Mars than Deimos, it has been covered in more material from Mars that was blown away during the asteroid impact. If there is life on Mars, microscopic life forms could be transferred to Phobos by this impact.
However, Phobos is not a comfortable place to call home. The authors described it as “very inhospitable,” indicating a lack of air and water and high radiation levels. So almost certainly no one is alive on the moon right now.
But what may exist is evidence of life from millions of years ago. This evidence includes potential microorganisms that could have lived on Mars and were recently sterilized during or after shipping to Phobos, and microorganisms and biomarkers that had been processed on ancient Mars prior to shipping to Phobos, including potential DNA fragments.
Editor: Dini Listiyani
