Large Parts of Mars May Support Life

In a new paper published in the latest issue of the journal Astrobiology, experts explain that life is theoretically possible on large swaths of the Martian surface. Granted, not all areas are habitable, but some may support life.

This discovery has several important implications, including the fact that it may inform mission planners seeking to send astronauts to Mars in the near future. Their routes and destinations could be planned in such a way that they would have the highest chances of confirming alien life.

“What we tried to do, simply, was take almost all of the information we could and put it together and say 'is the big picture consistent with there being life on Mars?' And the simple answer is yes […] There are large regions of Mars that are compatible with terrestrial life,” Australian National University expert Dr. Charley Lineweaver says.

“With NASA planning to send a manned mission to the Red Planet by 2035, the new finding could not have come at a better time. Future robotic explorers are also very likely to start searching for life at the “habitable” locations on the Martian surface, ABC News reports.