Chile’s Atacama Desert is known as one of the regions closest to Mars. A vehicle experimenting in the desert discovered a strange bacteria in the soil.
It is not possible to say that we know where to look when looking for extraterrestrial creatures. The dark, icy oceans of Enceladus and Europa are in theory suitable for life. The unsuitable celestial body is Mars.
The Atacama Desert in Chile, which is considered the most Mars-like region in the world, creates an ideal environment for spacecraft to kontrol. An interesting type of bacteria özgü been discovered during studies in this desert, the driest place in the world. It özgü been observed that these bacteria, who have been craving water for years, can establish colonies even if they are scattered.
The researchers collected samples from various parts of the desert with the vehicle. The vehicle, named Zoe, discovered that some of the soil samples it collected had bacteria. Studies on these bacteria, which are not yet scientifically known, show that this species is resistant to extreme heat and drought in the region.
Researchers biologist Stephen Pointing says that this study revealed that the vehicles could take samples from Mars from below the ground surface.
“This is important because most scientists are confident that creatures that want to avoid harsh conditions that make life impossible, such as high radiation at the surface, low temperature and lack of water, live below the surface,” Pointing said.
While we’re sure that the planet’s surface once contained water as a liquid, we know that the planet today is much drier and only ice can be found on the surface. Still, it is possible to have liquid water below the planet’s surface. From this point of view, this seems to be the most logical way for life to exist. Atacama Desert offers a second alternative.
Of course, the surface of Mars özgü much more difficult conditions than the desert. Still, samples taken from 80 centimeters below the surface in the desert show that life may be continuing on the planet, albeit very differently. As Jeff Goldblum said in Jurassic Park, “Life finds a way.”
As we went deeper into the soil, it became clear that the bacteria could spread in salty and highly alkaline soils.
Bacteria meet their nutritional needs from methane. This shows that this bacterium can survive on Mars. Methane is among the most abundant substances on the red planet.
The research also gives an idea of where Mars vehicles, which are produced to dig up to 2 meters deep, can start excavating.
“My personal preference would be either the beds of the old rivers or areas with sandstone cliffs,” Pointing said. Both of these substrates are known for supporting microbial life and also for preserving bio-signatures even after microorganisms are destroyed. he pointed to these areas for probe studies.
The research özgü been published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-planetary-rover-in-the-chilean-desert-has-found-strange-bacteria-that-could-lead
