A new study of the terrestrial desert shows that technology can not always detect signs of life even on the surface of our planet, not to mention Mars. The scientific article was published in the journal Nature Communications.
In Chile’s Atacama Desert, there is an ancient delta called the Red Stones, which contains sand and rocks rich in hematite and mudstone. Geologically, this region is very similar to Mars, which is why astrobiologists often use it as a model for the Red Planet.
First, the researchers sequenced DNA found in the local soil. Many genetic sequences have been found, including hitherto unknown species of microorganisms.
Samples from the Red Rocks have also been analyzed using instruments used on or destined for Mars. In most cases, they found nothing or almost nothing.
Last year, the
Perseverance rover discovered “clear signs” of organic matter on Mars
while driving through an ancient river delta. A few years earlier, the
Curiosity rover had found signs of organic molecules in both sand and
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