Mars: new insights and unresolved questions
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Published:2021-12
Issue:6
Volume:20
Page:394-426
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ISSN:1473-5504
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Container-title:International Journal of Astrobiology
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language:en
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Short-container-title:International Journal of Astrobiology
Author:
Changela Hitesh G.ORCID, Chatzitheodoridis EliasORCID, Antunes AndreORCID, Beaty David, Bouw Kristian, Bridges John C., Capova Klara Anna, Cockell Charles S., Conley Catharine A., Dadachova Ekaterina, Dallas Tiffany D.ORCID, de Mey Stefaan, Dong ChuanfeiORCID, Ellery Alex, Ferus MartinORCID, Foing Bernard, Fu Xiaohui, Fujita KazuhisaORCID, Lin Yangting, Jheeta Sohan, Hicks Leon J.ORCID, Hu Sen, Kereszturi Akos, Krassakis Alexandros, Liu Yang, Oberst Juergen, Michalski Joe, Ranjith P. M., Rinaldi Teresa, Rothery DavidORCID, Stavrakakis Hector A.ORCID, Selbmann Laura, Sinha Rishitosh K.ORCID, Wang Alian, Williford Ken, Vaci ZoltanORCID, Vago Jorge L., Waltemathe MichaelORCID, Hallsworth John E.ORCID
Abstract
AbstractMars exploration motivates the search for extraterrestrial life, the development of space technologies, and the design of human missions and habitations. Here, we seek new insights and pose unresolved questions relating to the natural history of Mars, habitability, robotic and human exploration, planetary protection, and the impacts on human society. Key observations and findings include:
–high escape rates of early Mars' atmosphere, including loss of water, impact present-day habitability;–putative fossils on Mars will likely be ambiguous biomarkers for life;–microbial contamination resulting from human habitation is unavoidable; and–based on Mars' current planetary protection category, robotic payload(s) should characterize the local martian environment for any life-forms prior to human habitation.Some of the outstanding questions are:
–which interpretation of the hemispheric dichotomy of the planet is correct;–to what degree did deep-penetrating faults transport subsurface liquids to Mars' surface;–in what abundance are carbonates formed by atmospheric processes;–what properties of martian meteorites could be used to constrain their source locations;–the origin(s) of organic macromolecules;–was/is Mars inhabited;–how can missions designed to uncover microbial activity in the subsurface eliminate potential false positives caused by microbial contaminants from Earth;–how can we ensure that humans and microbes form a stable and benign biosphere; and–should humans relate to putative extraterrestrial life from a biocentric viewpoint (preservation of all biology), or anthropocentric viewpoint of expanding habitation of space?Studies of Mars' evolution can shed light on the habitability of extrasolar planets. In addition, Mars exploration can drive future policy developments and confirm (or put into question) the feasibility and/or extent of human habitability of space.
Funder
Chinese Academy of Sciences Grantová Agentura České Republiky National Natural Science Foundation of China
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous),Space and Planetary Science,Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous),Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
21 articles.
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