A conspicuous biomorphic ovoid structure in the Nakhla martian meteorite with implications for astrobiology
Even as exploration on the red planet continues in full swing, a new study conducted by UK and Greek researches reveal that Mars once inhabited life; at least in its smallest form. The study found a cell-like structure in one of the Martian meteorites which according to scientists is proof that water once existed on Mars, sufficient enough for inhabiting life. The research findings are published in the science journal Astrobiology. The 1.3 billion-year-old meteorite, code named Nakhla, had some peculiar features within it which made Dr Elias Chatzitheodoridis of the National Technical University of Athens contact his long-time friend Professor Ian Lyon at the University of Manchester who is a specialist in Atmospheric and Environmental Science.
The research work was financed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council and has been published in Astrobiology, Vol. 14, No. 8, titled ‘A Conspicuous Clay Ovoid in Nakhla: Evidence for Subsurface Hydrothermal Alteration on Mars with Implications for Astrobiology’.