Niamh Shackleton
Scientists think they may have discovered a key indicator that there was once life on Mars.
Researchers have long questioned if there was once life on the Red Plant (and if there possibly still is).
The idea that Mars was once habitable was first put forward in the 1830s and scientists across the globe have since conducted years and years worth of research into the theory.
As to why experts think there could be life on Mars, compared to Venus or Saturn for example, it is because of its similarity to early Earth.
Meanwhile, there's been some evidence that's suggested that there was liquid on Mars and, as you know, all living things need water to survive.
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In one study published in August, it was revealed that a team of scientists had found evidence of a water reservoir some miles below the planet's surface.
But as the apparent reservoir is 12 miles down into Mars' make up, it will be difficult to access and see if the suspected water supply was there or not.
Now more progress has been made into working out if the Red Planet once had water on it.
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Using Chinese Mars rover Zhurong (which landed on the planet in May 2021), Hong Kong Polytechnic University believe they may have found evidence of an ancient shoreline in the Utopia Planitia region.
In a study that was published on November 7, results put together by researchers at the university suggested 'an evolution scenario of the nearshore zone in southern Utopia'.
As to what indicated them to what they suspect was once a body of water, it was 'pitted cones of mud volcanic origin'.
Other parts of the area of Mars in question was found to have 'an increased concentration of craters with pancake-like ejecta, polygonal troughs, and etched flows, indicating a greater presence of water'.
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The ocean has been long gone, however, and is believed to have dried up around 260 million years ago, says Daily Galaxy.
As scientists continue to try prove that Mars could be habitable, there are hopes to one day send human missions to the Red Planet.
However, just like what happens to astronauts on the Moon, traveling to Mars could have a huge impact on people's bodies.
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As per a study carried out earlier this year, going to Mars could have a huge impact on an astronaut's kidney in particular.
Talking to The Independent, Dr. Keith Siew, first author of the study, said: “We know what has happened to astronauts on the relatively short space missions conducted so far, in terms of an increase in health issues such as kidney stones.
“What we don’t know is why these issues occur, nor what is going to happen to astronauts on longer flights such as the proposed mission to Mars.
“If we don’t develop new ways to protect the kidneys, I’d say that while an astronaut could make it to Mars they might need dialysis on the way back.”