The Curiosity Rover has discovered that evidence of past life on Mars may have been erased.
It's a question that has long compelled human beings...if we are indeed alone in the universe. Mars has often been at the centre of speculation about life on other planets. Whether it's in science fiction, portrayed in films like War of the Worlds, or even popular music, the Red Planet has captured our imagination for decades.
Now, fresh studies from the Curiosity Rover could suggest that at some point in its history, Mars may have hosted life, but the evidence of life may have been wiped out.
It's based on the discovery of 'brine patches' on the planet, essentially super-salty water. These would have been strong enough to effectively 'reset' the mineral record on the Red Planet.
The process of chemicals transforming in sediments is called diagenesis.
John Grotzinger, geology professor at the California Institute of Technology, said: "Even though diagenesis may erase the signs of life in the original lake, it creates the chemical gradients necessary to support subsurface life, so we are really excited to have discovered this."
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