Magnesium oxide on mars?

- Sudharsan

Pictures- NASA.gov

What? 

NASA's Curiosity rover has observed that there are high levels of manganese oxide deposits in the Martian rocks. This has made many in the scientific community very excited.

Why? 

This means that mars once had an oxygen rich surface, further proving that it is very similar to earth.

How? 

Scientist say that the only way magnesium oxide could have deposited there is if the water had broken down and that happens only in a high oxygen atmosphere. The high oxygen atmosphere could have been because of photosynthetic microbes.

When? 

Since the rover landed on mars in August 6, 2012, 1500 samples of Martin rocks and soil have been analyzed.

And so

If the scientist find out that magnesium oxide concentration is due microbial activity by examining samples on earth, it would prove that life existed on mars, and also opens up a possibility that life can still exist there, so be ready to book villas on mars.