This blog has followed the gathering of evidence related to the possibility of life on Mars. Various missions have been studying the planet and its hisory, and one of the major objectives has been to determine whether life exists on Mars, or ever did exist. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has made a discovery that may push the debate further towards life.
MRO has found carbonates on Mars. Carbonates are associated with life. Some scientists have argued that even if life had developed on early Mars it wouldn't have survived long because the soil is too acidic. Acids eat away at living tissue, destroying it. Acids also destroy carbonates. Therefore, the continued existence of carbonates inply that at least some areas on Mars could have supported microbial life for long periods if life had established itself on the planet in the first place. More interestingly, MRO has identified carbonates in specific places. Thus, future missions to Mars already have priority targets to explore.
The discovery of carbonates does not clinch the deal for life on Mars, but it's one more piece in an increasingky strong argument in favor of life.
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