Although evidence of life on Mars hasn’t yet been discovered during any of NASA's robotic missions, scientists believe it could be a different story in small pools of water under the surface.
Although evidence of life on Mars hasn’t yet been discovered during any of NASA 's robotic missions, scientists believe it could be a different story in small pools of water under the surface.
A new study by NASA scientists published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment indicates that dusty ice allows just enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur as deep as 9 feet below the surface. Lacking a protective ozone shield, the Martian surface faces a barrage of solar radiation even below the surface, about 30% more damaging radiation compared to Earth. However, the new study highlights areas on Mars with potentially less radiation exposure and conditions where life could exist.According to the study authors, layers of water ice formed over the past few million years with snow and dust on the surface.
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