Signs of Ancient Life on Mars?

            

Gillespie Lake outcrop in Yellowknife Bay, Mars.

            Curiosity has taken photos that show certain similarities between structures molded by microorganisms on Earth, called microbially-induced sedimentary structures (MISS), and ancient rocks located in Mars, specifically in the Gillespie Lake outcrop in Yellowknife Bay. Geobiologist Nora Noffke, at Old Dominion University, has studied these MISS structures for several years focusing her research in comparing the pictures collected by Curiosity with a series of images taken in Western Australia, Mellum Island in Germany, Portsmouth Island in the United States, etc.

            This comparison reveals similarities between some rock structures in Mars and the Earth. The repetition of patterns in these formations allows would suggest that the microbial processes that shaped this structures on Earth may have also occurred in Mars. But, Noffke needs more physical evidence to prove her hypothesis. Further, Noffke compares several rocks that could be related to microbial structures on Earth that have been constantly changing with time. To illustrate her point, she explains and points out similarities like the structure, organic or chemical signatures and the way these could have been formed. Even though she has found evidence to prove this hypothesis, she still needs to strengthen her thesis and investigations with additional data.

Biology Team: Daniela Guzman, Maria Roa, Oriana Colatosti.                                     Jan. 27, 2016