Earth and Mars are the two planets of the inner Solar System. There are four rocky planets and asteroids in this area. The rocky planets were hit by a brutal asteroid bombardment soon after their formation. These asteroids were embedded in the crust of Earth and Mars and were pulled deep into the planets due to tectonic movements on Earth. Since the surface of Mars was immobile, they remained where they had fallen. This allows us to study them today.
By examining 31 meteorites from Mars, scientists were able to answer a series of curious questions about the origins of these meteorites. For example, until now it was unknown whether these meteorites came from inside or outside the Solar System, or whether they had organic material on them that might have brought life to the planet.
Using ultra-high-precision chromium isotope measurements, the researchers determined that these meteorites were carbon chondrites from outside the Solar System. Considering the existence of these rocks on Mars and the ice rate in them is generally 10 percent, it was determined that the water they brought covered the entire surface of Mars with water at a height of 307 meters.
Common carbon chondrites from outside the Solar System are known to contain organic molecules such as amino acids. These compounds are vital to the formation of DNA and are thought to provide the raw material for life to emerge.
Professor Martin Bizzarro, author of the study, said, “At that time, Mars was bombarded by ice-filled asteroids. This period covers the first 100 million years of the planet’s evolution. “Another interesting piece of information is that these asteroids contain organic molecules that are vital to life.”
It is believed that a planet the size of Mars once collided with Earth. As a result of this collision, the Moon was formed, and at the same time, all life on Earth was destroyed. In the light of this information, it is thought that it is more likely that life arose on Mars before Earth.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
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