Scientists: life on Mars could appear earlier than on Earth

It is believed that life on Earth originated about 4 billion years ago — but according to one theory, our planet was not the only one of its kind. According to a study by scientists at the University of Western Ontario, the first evidence of the presence of organic matter on Mars appeared even earlier. The results of the presented scientific work can help to unravel the history of the red planet in the next year.

According to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the intense meteor bombardment of Mars stopped about 4.47 billion years.  This figure is indicated by samples of rocks knocked out from its surface and reached the Ground. Researchers believe that the space "cobblestones" could bring to the Red planet water molecules and simple organic matter — in theory, it could lead to the emergence of the simplest forms of life.

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"The giant impacts of meteorites on Mars may have actually accelerated the release of water from the interior of the planet, paving the way for life-forming reactions. This may indicate a good place to get samples from Mars," said Desmond Moser, one of the authors of the study.

It is estimated that various life forms existed on the surface of the planet for about 700 million years, until Mars lost most of its atmosphere. The theory is indirectly confirmed by NASA's recent statement about the detection of possible signs of life on the surface of the earth's cosmic neighbor. It is expected that scientists will be able to study in more detail the biological history of the red planet with the help of new Rovers, which will be launched next year.