Mars meteorite provides evidence of life on the red planet

London: Scientists have found evidence of the presence of different forms of bacteria in a Martian meteorite, suggesting that life may have already existed on the red planet.

Named ALH-77005, the Martian meteorite was discovered in the Allan Hills in Antarctica during the mission of the National Polar Research Institute of Japan from 1977 to 1978.

Scientists from the Research Center for Astronomy and Earth Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS) have discovered an organic matter embedded in the meteorite. They were able to determine the presence of organic matter in mineralized form, such as different forms of bacteria in the meteorite.

"Our work is important for a broad audience because it integrates the planetary, biological, chemical and environmental sciences and will interest many researchers in these fields," said Ildiko Gyollai of the Research Center for Astronomy and Sciences of the Earth. Land of the HAS.

"The research will also interest planetary scientists, meteorite and astrobiology experts, as well as researchers from the early days of life and the general public, as it offers an example of a new aspect of microbial mediation in mining meteorites, "said Gyollai, lead author of the study published in the journal Open Astronomy.

The research could change the examination of meteorites in the future.

In light of their discovery, the authors believe that the materials of the solar system must be studied to determine if there is evidence of microbial forms in the rocks of space – and that there was once life on Mars.