mars essay

Essay on Life on Mars for Students and Children

500 words essay on life on mars.

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system. Also, it is the second smallest planet in our solar system. The possibility of life on mars has aroused the interest of scientists for many years. A major reason for this interest is due to the similarity and proximity of the planet to Earth. Mars certainly gives some indications of the possibility of life.

Possibilities of Life on Mars

In the past, Mars used to look quite similar to Earth. Billions of years ago, there were certainly similarities between Mars and Earth. Furthermore, scientists believe that Mars once had a huge ocean. This ocean, experts believe, covered more of the planet’s surface than Earth’s own oceans do so currently.

Moreover, Mars was much warmer in the past that it is currently. Most noteworthy, warm temperature and water are two major requirements for life to exist. So, there is a high probability that previously there was life on Mars.

Life on Earth can exist in the harshest of circumstances. Furthermore, life exists in the most extreme places on Earth. Moreover, life on Earth is available in the extremely hot and dry deserts. Also, life exists in the extremely cold Antarctica continent. Most noteworthy, this resilience of life gives plenty of hope about life on Mars.

There are some ingredients for life that already exist on Mars. Bio signatures refer to current and past life markers. Furthermore, scientists are scouring the surface for them. Moreover, there has been an emergence of a few promising leads. One notable example is the presence of methane in Mars’s atmosphere. Most noteworthy, scientists have no idea where the methane is coming from. Therefore, a possibility arises that methane presence is due to microbes existing deep below the planet’s surface.

One important point to note is that no scratching of Mars’s surface has taken place. Furthermore, a couple of inches of scratching has taken place until now. Scientists have undertaken analysis of small pinches of soil. There may also have been a failure to detect signs of life due to the use of faulty techniques. Most noteworthy, there may be “refugee life” deep below the planet’s surface.

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Challenges to Life on Mars

First of all, almost all plants and animals cannot survive the conditions on the surface of Mars. This is due to the extremely harsh conditions on the surface of Mars.

Another major problem is the gravity of Mars. Most noteworthy, the gravity on Mars is 38% to that of Earth. Furthermore, low gravity can cause health problems like muscle loss and bone demineralization.

The climate of Mars poses another significant problem. The temperature at Mars is much colder than Earth. Most noteworthy, the mean surface temperatures of Mars range between −87 and −5 °C. Also, the coldest temperature on Earth has been −89.2 °C in Antarctica.

Mars suffers from a great scarcity of water. Most noteworthy, water discovered on Mars is less than that on Earth’s driest desert.

Other problems include the high penetration of harmful solar radiation due to the lack of ozone layer. Furthermore, global dust storms are common throughout Mars. Also, the soil of Mars is toxic due to the high concentration of chlorine.

To sum it up, life on Mars is a topic that has generated a lot of curiosity among scientists and experts. Furthermore, establishing life on Mars involves a lot of challenges. However, the hope and ambition for this purpose are well alive and present. Most noteworthy, humanity must make serious efforts for establishing life on Mars.

FAQs on Life on Mars

Q1 State any one possibility of life on Mars?

A1 One possibility of life on Mars is the resilience of life. Most noteworthy, life exists in the most extreme places on Earth.

Q2 State anyone challenge to life on Mars?

A2 One challenge to life on Mars is a great scarcity of water.

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Planet Mars, explained

The rusty world is full of mysteries—and some of the solar system's most extreme geology. Learn more about Earth's smaller, colder neighbor.

The red planet Mars, named for the Roman god of war, has long been an omen in the night sky. And in its own way, the planet’s rusty red surface tells a story of destruction. Billions of years ago, the fourth planet from the sun could have been mistaken for Earth’s smaller twin, with liquid water on its surface—and maybe even life.

Now, the world is a cold, barren desert with few signs of liquid water. But after decades of study using orbiters, landers, and rovers, scientists have revealed Mars as a dynamic, windblown landscape that could—just maybe—harbor microbial life beneath its rusty surface even today.

Longer year and shifting seasons

With a radius of 2,106 miles, Mars is the seventh largest planet in our solar system and about half the diameter of Earth. Its surface gravity is 37.5 percent of Earth’s.

Mars rotates on its axis every 24.6 Earth hours, defining the length of a Martian day, which is called a sol (short for “solar day”). Mars’s axis of rotation is tilted 25.2 degrees relative to the plane of the planet’s orbit around the sun, which helps give Mars seasons similar to those on Earth. Whichever hemisphere is tilted closer to the sun experiences spring and summer, while the hemisphere tilted away gets fall and winter. At two specific moments each year—called the equinoxes—both hemispheres receive equal illumination.

But for several reasons, seasons on Mars are different from those on Earth. For one, Mars is on average about 50 percent farther from the sun than Earth is, with an average orbital distance of 142 million miles. This means that it takes Mars longer to complete a single orbit, stretching out its year and the lengths of its seasons. On Mars, a year lasts 669.6 sols, or 687 Earth days, and an individual season can last up to 194 sols, or just over 199 Earth days.

The angle of Mars’s axis of rotation also changes much more often than Earth's, which has led to swings in the Martian climate on timescales of thousands to millions of years. In addition, Mars’s orbit is less circular than Earth’s, which means that its orbital velocity varies more over the course of a Martian year. This annual variation affects the timing of the red planet’s solstices and equinoxes. On Mars, the northern hemisphere’s spring and summer are longer than the fall and winter.

There’s another complicating factor: Mars has a far thinner atmosphere than Earth, which dramatically lessens how much heat the planet can trap near its surface. Surface temperatures on Mars can reach as high as 70 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as -225 degrees Fahrenheit, but on average, its surface is -81 degrees Fahrenheit, a full 138 degrees colder than Earth’s average temperature.

Windy and watery, once

The primary driver of modern Martian geology is its atmosphere, which is mostly made of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon. By Earth standards, the air is preposterously thin; air pressure atop Mount Everest is about 50 times higher than it is at the Martian surface . Despite the thin air, Martian breezes can gust up to 60 miles an hour, kicking up dust that fuels huge dust storms and massive fields of alien sand dunes.

Once upon a time, though, wind and water flowed across the red planet. Robotic rovers have found clear evidence that billions of years ago, lakes and rivers of liquid water coursed across the red planet’s surface. This means that at some point in the distant past, Mars’s atmosphere was sufficiently dense and retained enough heat for water to remain liquid on the red planet’s surface. Not so today: Though water ice abounds under the Martian surface and in its polar ice caps, there are no large bodies of liquid water on the surface there today.

Mars also lacks an active plate tectonic system, the geologic engine that drives our active Earth, and is also missing a planetary magnetic field. The absence of this protective barrier makes it easier for the sun’s high-energy particles to strip away the red planet’s atmosphere, which may help explain why Mars’s atmosphere is now so thin. But in the ancient past—up until about 4.12 to 4.14 billion years ago —Mars seems to have had an inner dynamo powering a planet-wide magnetic field. What shut down the Martian dynamo? Scientists are still trying to figure out.

High highs and low lows

Like Earth and Venus, Mars has mountains, valleys, and volcanoes, but the red planet’s are by far the biggest and most dramatic. Olympus Mons, the solar system’s largest volcano, towers some 16 miles above the Martian surface, making it three times taller than Everest. But the base of Olympus Mons is so wide—some 374 miles across—that the volcano’s average slope is only slightly steeper than a wheelchair ramp. The peak is so massive, it curves with the surface of Mars. If you stood at the outer edge of Olympus Mons, its summit would lie beyond the horizon.

Mars has not only the highest highs, but also some of the solar system’s lowest lows. Southeast of Olympus Mons lies Valles Marineris, the red planet’s iconic canyon system. The gorges span about 2,500 miles and cut up to 4.3 miles into the red planet’s surface. The network of chasms is four times deeper—and five times longer—than Earth’s Grand Canyon, and at its widest, it’s a staggering 200 miles across. The valleys get their name from Mariner 9, which became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet when it arrived at Mars in 1971.

A tale of two hemispheres

About 4.5 billion years ago, Mars coalesced from the gaseous, dusty disk that surrounded our young sun. Over time, the red planet’s innards differentiated into a core, a mantle, and an outer crust that’s an average of 40 miles thick.

A raging river and frost-tipped dunes reveal watery history on Mars

In the hunt for alien life, this planet just became a top suspect

4.5 billion years ago, another planet crashed into Earth. We may have found its leftovers.

Its core is likely made of iron and nickel, like Earth’s, but probably contains more sulfur than ours. The best available estimates suggest that the core is about 2,120 miles across, give or take 370 miles—but we don’t know the specifics. NASA’s InSight lander aims to unravel the mysteries of Mars’s interior by tracking how seismic waves move through the red planet.

Mars’s northern and southern hemispheres are wildly different from one another, to a degree unlike any other planet in the solar system. The planet’s northern hemisphere consists mostly of low-lying plains, and the crust there can be just 19 miles thick. The highlands of the southern hemisphere, however, are studded with many extinct volcanoes, and the crust there can get up to 62 miles thick.

What happened? It’s possible that patterns of internal magma flow caused the difference, but some scientists think it's the result of Mars suffering one or several major impacts. One recent model suggests Mars got its two faces because an object the size of Earth’s moon slammed into Mars near its south pole.

Both hemispheres do have one thing in common: They’re covered in the planet’s trademark dust, which gets its many shades of orange, red, and brown from iron rust.

Cosmic companions

At some point in the distant past, the red planet gained its two small and irregularly shaped moons, Phobos and Deimos. The two lumpy worlds, discovered in 1877, are named for the sons and chariot drivers of the god Mars in Roman mythology. How the moons formed remains unsolved. One possibility is that they formed in the asteroid belt and were captured by Mars’s gravity. But recent models instead suggest that they could have formed from the debris flung up from Mars after a huge impact long ago.

Deimos, the smaller of the two moons, orbits Mars every 30 hours and is less than 10 miles across. Its larger sibling Phobos bears many scars, including craters and deep grooves running across its surface. Scientists have long debated what caused the grooves on Phobos. Are they tracks left behind by boulders rolling across the surface after an ancient impact, or signs that Mars’s gravity is pulling the moon apart?

Either way, the moon’s future will be considerably less groovy. Each century, Phobos gets about six feet closer to Mars; in 50 million years or so, the moon is projected either to crash into the red planet’s surface or break into smithereens.

Missions to Mars

Since the 1960s, humans have robotically explored Mars more than any other planet beyond Earth. Currently, eight missions from the U.S., European Union, Russia, and India are actively orbiting Mars or roving across its surface. But getting safely to the red planet is no small feat. Of the 45 Mars missions launched since 1960 , 26 have had some component fail to leave Earth, fall silent en route, miss orbit around Mars, burn up in the atmosphere, crash on the surface, or die prematurely.

More missions are on the horizon, including some designed to help search for Martian life. NASA is building its Mars 2020 rover to cache promising samples of Martian rock that a future mission would return to Earth. In 2020, the European Space Agency and Roscosmos plan to launch a rover named for chemist Rosalind Franklin , whose work was crucial to deciphering the structure of DNA. The rover will drill into Martian soil to hunt for signs of past and present life. Other countries are joining the fray, making space exploration more global in the process. In July 2020, the United Arab Emirates is slated to launch its Hope orbiter , which will study the Martian atmosphere.

Perhaps humans will one day join robots on the red planet. NASA has stated its goal to send humans back to the moon as a stepping-stone to Mars. Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, is building a massive vehicle called Starship in part to send humans to Mars. Will humans eventually build a scientific base on the Martian surface, like those that dot Antarctica? How will human activity affect the red planet or our searches for life there?

Time will tell. But no matter what, Mars will continue to occupy the human imagination, a glimmering red beacon in our skies and stories.

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Essay on Mars

Students are often asked to write an essay on Mars in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Mars

Mars: an introduction.

Mars, also known as the Red Planet, is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system. It gets its nickname from its reddish appearance, caused by iron oxide (rust) on its surface.

Physical Features

Mars has the tallest volcano and the deepest canyon in the solar system. Olympus Mons is the volcano, and Valles Marineris is the canyon. Mars also has polar ice caps made of water and carbon dioxide.

Life on Mars

Scientists have not found life on Mars yet. However, they believe that the planet may have had conditions suitable for life in the past. Now, Mars is too cold and dry for life.

Mars Exploration

Several spacecrafts have been sent to Mars. These missions help scientists learn about the planet’s climate and geology, and search for signs of life. The Mars rovers, like Perseverance, are particularly important in this exploration.

250 Words Essay on Mars

Introduction.

Mars, the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system, has been a subject of fascination for scientists and space enthusiasts for centuries. This celestial body, often referred to as the ‘Red Planet’, has been explored by numerous space missions, providing us with valuable insights.

Geographical Features

Mars exhibits a variety of geographical features that are similar to Earth’s. It hosts the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, and a grand canyon, Valles Marineris, which is nearly five times the depth of Earth’s Grand Canyon. The planet’s reddish appearance is due to iron oxide, or rust, on its surface.

Atmospheric Conditions

Mars’ thin atmosphere, composed primarily of carbon dioxide, provides inadequate protection from solar radiation. This makes the planet’s surface inhospitable to known life forms. The average temperature on Mars is a chilly -80 degrees Fahrenheit, with polar ice caps composed of water and carbon dioxide.

Search for Life

The search for life on Mars has been a primary goal of numerous missions. While no definitive evidence of past or present life has been found, scientists have discovered signs of liquid water and organic molecules, which are the building blocks of life.

Future Exploration

Future missions to Mars aim to answer questions about its geology, climate, and potential for life. The recent Perseverance rover mission by NASA and the planned human missions signify our continuous quest to unravel the mysteries of this intriguing planet.

In conclusion, Mars, with its similarities and differences to Earth, continues to captivate our curiosity, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and technological capabilities in space exploration.

500 Words Essay on Mars

The red planet: an overview.

Mars, often referred to as the Red Planet due to its reddish appearance, is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system. Its distinct color is attributed to iron oxide, or rust, on its surface. It is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, possessing surface features both reminiscent of both Earth and the moon.

Geographical Features and Atmosphere

Mars has the highest mountain and the deepest, longest canyon in the solar system. Olympus Mons, the highest mountain, is nearly three times the height of Mount Everest, which is about 5.5 miles high. Valles Marineris, the longest canyon, would stretch from New York City to Los Angeles on Earth. Mars’ atmosphere is composed primarily of carbon dioxide (about 96%), with minor amounts of other gases such as argon and nitrogen. The climate on Mars is much colder than on Earth, with an average temperature around -80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Exploration of Mars

The exploration of Mars has been an important part of the space exploration programs of several countries. The first successful flyby of Mars was by Mariner 4 in 1965. Since then, numerous spacecraft have been sent to explore Mars, including the Viking missions in the 1970s and, more recently, the Mars Rover missions. The primary focus of these missions is to search for evidence of past or present life on Mars.

Potential for Life

Human settlement.

The prospect of human settlement on Mars has been a tantalizing challenge for scientists and engineers. The technical and logistical hurdles are significant, including the need for life support systems, sustainable food production, and protection from solar and cosmic radiation. Despite these challenges, organizations like NASA and SpaceX are actively working towards making human Mars missions a reality in the foreseeable future.

Mars, with its similarities to Earth and its potential for harboring life, continues to captivate our curiosity. The ongoing exploration of this fascinating planet not only expands our understanding of the universe but also propels us towards becoming a multi-planetary species. As we continue to explore Mars, we may not only answer the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe but also set the stage for our future as space explorers.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

All About Mars

A cartoon shows the brownish-red dirt on the Martian surface, and a person in a spacesuit is entering the scene. A tornado-like column of brown dust and a mountain can be seen in the background. The sky is a pastel orange color.

Mars’ atmosphere has clouds and wind just like Earth. Sometimes the wind blows the red dust into a dust storm. Spiraling dust storms–called dust devils–can look like tornadoes. Mars’ large storms sometimes cover the entire planet. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mars is a cold desert world. The average temperature on Mars is minus 85 degrees Fahrenheit – way below freezing. It is half the size of Earth. Mars is sometimes called the Red Planet. It's red because of rusty iron in the ground.

Like Earth, Mars has seasons, polar ice caps, volcanoes, canyons, and weather. It has a very thin atmosphere made mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon. People would not be able to breathe the air on Mars.

Explore Mars! Click and drag to rotate the planet. Scroll or pinch to zoom in and out. Credit: NASA Visualization Technology Applications and Development (VTAD)

There are signs of ancient floods on Mars, but now water mostly exists in icy dirt and thin clouds. On some Martian hillsides, there is evidence of liquid salty water in the ground.

Scientists want to know if Mars may have had living things in the past. They also want to know if Mars could support life now or in the future.

Cartoon of Mars saying 'I have had lots of visitors!'

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Structure and Surface

Mars is a terrestrial planet. It is small and rocky.
Mars has a thin atmosphere.
Mars has an active atmosphere, but the surface of the planet is not active. Its volcanoes are dead.

Time on Mars

One day on Mars lasts 24.6 hours. It is just a little longer than a day on Earth.
One year on Mars is 687 Earth days. It is almost twice as long as one year on Earth.

Mars’ Neighbors

Mars has two moons. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. That means Earth and Jupiter are Mars’ neighboring planets.

Quick History

Mars has been known since ancient times because it can be seen without advanced telescopes.
There was even a flying helicopter on Mars. Seriously! The Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity , successfully tested powered, controlled flight on another world for the first time. It hitched a ride to Mars on the Perseverance rover and worked with the rover to explore Mars. Ingenuity was designed as a tech demo expected to fly no more than five times over 30 days. It ended its mission in early 2024 having completed 72 flights in just under three years. Thanks Ingenuity!
Several missions have orbited, landed on, or roved around on Mars: InSight , MAVEN , Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter , and many more ! Mars is the only planet we have sent rovers to. They drive around Mars, taking pictures and measurements. Learn more about them and what they have discovered by clicking the pictures below!

Mars Rovers

Perseverance

Spirit and Opportunity

What does Mars look like?

The planet Mars against a black background.

This infographic uses composite orbiter images and an outline of the United States to show the scale of the Valles Marineris (a canyon system more than 2,000 miles long!). Swipe left and right to see how big this canyon system is compared to the United States. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

This animated GIF was created using footage taken by NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter during its 25th flight on April 8, 2022. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

This animated image blinks two versions of a May 11, 2016, selfie of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover at a drilled sample site called "Okoruso." In one version, cameras atop the rover's mast face the arm-mounted camera taking the portrait. In the other, they face away. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Colorized photo from NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover shows a wide view of a rocky valley on Mars. The rear half of the rover is visible in the lower right, with its wheel tracks on the surface receding into the distance. This stylized view adds color to a pair of black-and-white panoramas taken by the rover in the morning and afternoon. Blue and yellow tones simulate the lighting of the morning and afternoon, respectively.

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover used its black-and-white navigation cameras to capture panoramas at two times of day on April 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

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Essay on Life on Mars

Things to Know About Mars!

Mars, in the solar system, is the fourth planet from the sun. This planet is the second smallest planet in our entire solar system. The possibility of life on mars has aroused the interest of our scientists, now for many years. A reason for this curiosity is the similarity and for the proximity of the planet to the Earth. Mars, of course, gives some indications of the possibility of life existing on this planet.

In our essay, we will detail the possibility of life on this planet, Mars.

Scientists and researchers have spent their years researching for evidence or any trace of life on the Red Planet, Mars. All these researches till now indicated that there is no previous trace of life on this planet. But the evidence of some elements like the frozen water, the liquid water, which traces the past, and the methane in the atmosphere of Mars have provided some lead in the research to find the existence of life on this Red deserted planet, Mars.

If I ever get a chance to go to Mars and have a life there, then I would definitely explore around. I would only wish that the planet changes its conditions to make itself fit for humans to live and survive. Also, this gives an insight for us. Humans should learn not to further pollute another planet the way they have polluted Earth.

Bio Signatures

Some research data from Mars Global Surveyor indicates that liquid water may exist just below the surface in rare places on Mars. Water ice is present at the Martian poles, and these areas will be good zones to search for proof of the existence of life as well. Spach and Research Organizations will also look for life on Mars by searching for indicative markers, or biosignatures, of current and past life. The element carbon is an essential building block of life and comprehending where carbon is present and in what form would explain a lot about the type of existence that Mars had or has.

Most of the current Martian atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide and if carbonate minerals were created on Mars' surface by chemical reactions between water and the atmosphere, the existence of these minerals would be a giant clue that water had been present for a long time. One of the top needed explorations for Mars is the understanding of its present climate. Its climate is like in the distant past that drives climate change over time.

Biosignatures are the morphological, chemical which is organic, elemental, or mineral, and the isotopic traces of the organisms that are preserved in minerals, sediments, and rocks. They represent the physical presence of the organisms as well as the proof of their metabolic activities and their metabolites. A biosignature is also called a chemical or molecular fossil and is any given substance – such as an element, isotope, molecule, or phenomenon – that supplies scientific evidence of past or present life.

Measurable features of life contain the complex physical structures and chemical structures and also the utilisation of free energy and the production of biomass and wastes. It has unique characteristics, a biosignature can be interpreted as having been created by living organisms. However, it is important that they not be considered absolute because there is no way of knowing in advance which ones are omnipresent to life and which ones are personal to the strange occasions of life on Earth.

In conclusion, scientists are still spending time to find evidence of life on Mars. The presence of frozen water, liquid water, and methane in the atmosphere has given some hope that some day life may exist there. There are quite many theories and fiction that are connected to the solar system’s fourth planet, Mars. Other controversies that are connected with life on Mars have come up in the late 20th and the 21st century. The possibility of life which is already existing on Mars or in the future that the humans inhabiting Mars is an excellent topic to discuss. One can find all the relevant material on Vedantu’s Site. You can refer to it for exams or for gaining general knowledge. You can also download PDFs and read it at your dispersal.

FAQs on Essay on Life on Mars

1. What are the Challenges to Life on Mars?

All animals and plants cannot survive on Mars in extremely harsh weather conditions. The other major problem is the gravity of Mars. The gravity is 38% to that of Earth, low gravity can cause health problems. Another problem is, the temperature of Mars is much cooler than Earth.

The sun in our solar system and different stars are fusion reactors that spew great amounts of electromagnetic energy, including X-ray and ultraviolet radiation. The sun and other intensively energetic objects like the centre of galaxies, also emit high-energy protons, atomic nuclei, and other particles that can induce radiation illness, adversely influence one's central nervous system, increase one’s lifetime risk for cancer and cause degenerative diseases. One of the most important characteristics a planet needs to sustain human life is the atmosphere. On Mars, there exists a very thin one that clings to Mars and it’s made up of all the wrong gases for humans. Mars' atmosphere looks like-

Primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95.3% compared to less than 1% on Earth).

Scarcely any oxygen (0.13% compared to 21% on Earth)

Little nitrogen (2.7% compared to 78% on Earth)

2. Does Mars have Oxygen?

Mars has oxygen which is only 0.13% of the atmosphere, which is compared to 21% of the Earth's atmosphere. The MOXIE system is responsible for producing oxygen like a tree, pulling in the Martian air with a pump, and using an electrochemical process to separate a single oxygen atom from another molecule of carbon dioxide. Mars' atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, 1.6% argon, and it has hints of oxygen, water, etc along with a lot of dust. Dust turning in the air colours Mars’ sky tan in photos when taken from the surface. The density of the oxygen on Mars is approximately 1/10,000th of what Earth experiences. Mars' atmosphere does have a lot of carbon dioxide as it has about 500 times more CO 2 than oxygen. If one wants to harvest oxygen on Mars for use by future adventurers or launch systems, a better way might be to remove some of it out of the CO 2 and use that instead. That's where MOXIE technology plays a role.

3. What are we looking out for from Mars missions?

Life needs water on Earth to survive. If life had ever developed on Mars, it did so in the existence of a long-standing supply of water on the planet. On Mars, the search for evidence of life in areas is running where liquid water was once stable, and beneath the surface where it still might exist today. There might also be some current hot spots on Mars where hydrothermal pools furnish places for life.

4. What does the climate look like on Mars?

The current Martian climate is controlled by seasonal transformations of the carbon dioxide ice caps and the direction of large amounts of dust by the atmosphere. The exchange of water vapour between the surface and the atmosphere also plays a crucial role in deciding the climate of that planet. One of the most involved weather patterns on Mars is the generation of dust storms that typically occur in the southbound and summer. These storms can grow to enclose the whole planet. Humans still don't understand how these storms develop and grow but this is one goal of future climatic studies.

A better understanding of Mars' current climate will assist the scientists in more effectively modelling its past climatic behaviour. Humans are working towards the detailed weather maps of Mars and information about how much dust and water vapour are present in its atmosphere.

Observing the planet for this information over 1 full Martian year which is 687 Earth days, will help to understand how Mars behaves over its seasonal cycle and navigate us toward comprehending how the planet changes over millions of years.

Essay on Life on Mars

Table of Contents

Scientists and Astronomers from around the world have collated evidences about the possibility of life on Mars. The study about this planet is going on since decades and there is still a long way to go. Many spacecrafts have been sent on Mars in an attempt to understand whether life exists on this planet or is there any scope of inhabiting this planet in future. This is an interesting subject of exploration and has caught the fancy of astronomers since long time.

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Target Exam ---

The environment of Mars is similar to that of earth in more than one way and this has been a reason for scientific explorations looking for signs of life on the planet. However, mere similarity of environmental factors between earth and mars doesn’t prove that there is life on mars, a claim which needed to be backed by concrete scientific evidences. Beginning in the 19 th century, the quest for life on mars continues even today.

Long and Short Essay on Life on Mars in English

We are providing below essay on Life on Mars in English, to help you with the topic in your exams/school assignments.

These Life on Mars essay will give you an elaborate but simple explanation of the previous explorations and researches for life on mars; why is it more likely to support life etc.

You can select any Life on Mars essay as per your interest and need and present during your class assignment, debate competition, speech, essay writing etc.

Short Essay on Life on Mars 200 words

The existence of life on Mars has been a subject of study since more than a century. Scientists have been trying to collate evidences to figure out whether life has ever existed on this planet or is it inhabited with people presently or if there is any possibility of life on Mars in the future. The research done until now hints that there has never been any life on Mars nor is it inhabited with people currently. However, the possibility of life on the red planet cannot be ruled out completely.

Research shows that surface liquid water was present on Mars during the ancient Noachian period. This made for a habitable atmosphere for microorganisms. However, whether microorganisms ever penetrated on the planet is still a question. Research on the subject is still going on. Today, water on Mars exists in its solid state that is in the form of ice. Some of it also exists as vapour in the planet’s atmosphere.

Scientists have been trying to conduct research on Mars by way of telescopes, spacecrafts and rovers that are helpful in collecting evidences about the condition and nature of this planet. It is interesting and exciting to learn that life on this planet may be possible as its atmosphere is quite similar to Earth.

Essay on If I were on Mars 300 words

Mars is the fourth planet in the solar system. It is positioned just next to Earth and thus scientists and astronomers believe that there could be a possibility of life on this planet just as our planet. The evidences about the presence of water and oxygen on Mars have raised hopes about the probability of life on Mars.

If I Get a Chance to Live on Mars

While the scientists keep sending spacecrafts and rovers on Mars to conduct their research, I often dream about going to the planet to understand if there are any people living there and whether life is actually possible on this planet or not.

I wish I get some special powers to visit Mars and see how the planet really is. If I were on Mars, I would explore every bit of it to learn about it. I would live at different places on the planet to experience the variation in climate. I really wish I could transform Mars into a place which is fit for human civilization if it isn’t already. I want this planet to stay as pure as our Earth was during the beginning of the times.

If I ever got a chance to be on Mars and manage things there, I would grow several plants and make sure the people who eventually come to live on the planet lead a simple life like that of a villager devoid of the high-tech gadgets that are ruining our planet, Earth. I will ensure that there is no pollution on the planet and urge the people living there to contribute in keeping the atmosphere clean.

I want people to learn from the mistakes made on Earth and avoid the same on Mars. We have almost destroyed our beautiful Earth. I wish we do not do the same with the planet which is yet in its pure form.

Essay on My Trip to Mars 400 words

I have been reading news about the possibility of life on Mars since years and have always fancied how it would be like if life can actually be possible on this planet. How many of us will shift to this uninhabited planet and start our life there, how our relatives and friends living on Earth will plan trips to visit Mars, how would life on Mars actually be – will it be like that on Earth or different from it? All these questions come across my mind quite often and I get lost in the dreams of this far-away place. I have even made full-fledged plans of how I would visit the red planet if ever life is possible there.

My Trip to Mars

My trip to Mars is very much on my bucket list. However, I would certainly not rush to the planet as soon as it is declared habitable. I would wait for it to develop for a few years before I plan my visit. I would go to Mars with my friends. I would plan a trip for at least 15 days as I assume I would not get a chance to visit the planet often enough because of the distance and expenses involved. So, I would like to explore each and every corner of this planet on this trip.

We humans are known for demarcating the land and labelling it. I am sure just as Earth; Mars will also be divided into several countries within few years. While some of these countries would be worth spending time in others may be worthy of just a glance. I would talk to the local people on the planet and gather information about how and where all to visit to make the most of the trip. I will visit as many places as I can and try all sorts of cuisines available on Mars. I will shop a lot and take back sovereigns for my dear ones. I will also take a lot of pictures to cherish the memories of the days spent there.

I know my trip to mars is a far-fetched dream. However, I do hope I will get a chance to visit this planet once in my lifetime. I believe our new-age astronomers, scientists and technicians and know they will soon find a way to make this planet fit for human civilization. Until then, I shall visit some places on our planet Earth to seek adventure and gratify the travel enthusiast in me.

Essay on If I were to be the First Human to Visit the Mars 500 words

I aspire to be an astronomer. The celestial bodies fascinate me. My school conducts space workshop every year and I make sure I participate in the same each year. During these sessions, we are told about the Sun, Moon, planets and stars in detail. Besides getting theoretical knowledge about these, we also get a chance to view some of these via telescope which is my favourite part. It is all mesmerizing and my interest in astronomy is increasing with every workshop I attend.

It is the planet Mars that has caught my interest more than any other celestial body. I would definitely plan a manned mission to the red planet when I become an astronomer.

The Fame of Being the First Human to Visit Mars

As keen as I am on going to Mars, I am as much scared to visit the planet alone. I would like to visit the planet with a team of fellow astronomers and technicians. However, I dream of becoming the first person to land on Mars. After all, people only remember the first person to accomplish a mission. The names of the rest are forgotten soon. Just as we all remember Neil Armstrong who was the first to step on the moon. He was accompanied by other astronomers who too stepped on this astronomical body however no one remembers them. Likewise, being the first human to visit Mars will bring me a lot of fame.

My name would be published in every newspaper and flashed on every news channel. It would be a proud moment for me, my family as well as the entire nation. I would receive numerous awards for excellence in my field and for achieving what many could only dream of. I would be remembered for years and years to come. Students across the globe will read about my achievements as a part of their curriculum.

Experience Life on Mars as the First Human on the Planet

I would not just like to visit mars and come back. I would like to live there for few weeks to experience how life on Mars really is. Mars is known to be rich in minerals. I would like to explore the kind of minerals available there and also collect some to bring back home in order to conduct further research on them. I would like to experience and understand how life on Mars would actually be and that can only happen if I stay there for long. I would also carry few seeds to the planet and see if they grow there in a couple of weeks. I would explore different parts of the planet to experience the kind of climate it has.

If I would be the first person to visit Mars, the expectation from my research on the planet would be extremely high. I will spend most of my time studying the atmosphere and condition of the planet to see if it is fit for human civilization.

My interest in exploring Mars is increasing by the day. I aim to work hard and become an astronomer as I grow up to further my mission of being the first human to visit Mars.

Also Check

Long Essay on Life on Mars 600 words

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is said to have certain similarities with Earth when it comes to its atmosphere. This may be because of its proximity to our planet. This planet has been studied more than any other in the solar system. Every now and then there is news about new evidence indicating the probability of life on the red planet.

Possibility of Life on Mars

The first evidence of life on Mars was found as early as the 19 th century. Since then the planet has caught the interest of the scientists and astronomers around the world. Numerous research operations have been conducted to find out whether life exists on Mars or if it ever did or can. Researchers claim that Mars is quite like our planet Earth when it comes to its atmosphere although it gets much colder.

Though oxygen is present on the planet its environment is not considered fit for human inhabitation. While there have been evidences of liquid water on Mars in the past, today most of the water on the planet is locked in its polar ice caps. This has resulted in the planet’s land becoming barren. The curiosity rover that was sent to the red planet recently helped in exploring the planet further. The rover dug some land on Mars and discovered three different kinds of organic molecules on the planet which indicates the possibility of some kind of life form on the planet.

If there was Life on Mars

I often wonder how interesting it would be if there was life on Mars and the concept of aliens which is shown in various Hollywood and Bollywood movies was actually true. I really wish, the researchers soon find some aliens on Mars and are able to bring them to Earth for research. It would be super exciting. We will learn so much about the planet with the help of those aliens. We will understand the kind of hardships faced on the planet and the joys of living there. I wish we soon find out that Mars supports life and we can inhabit it.

I wish after this discovery, we humans are given a choice about whether we wish to live on Earth or Mars or take a trip to Mars just as we visit other cities and countries. Special aircrafts would be made to take people from Earth to Mars. We would be able to explore a whole new world and meet people who are completely different from us or may be have some similarities.

I really wish that if people actually exist on Mars they are not as selfish as those living on Earth. I would like to leave Earth and live on this newly explored planet. I would like to experience life on that planet at least for few years. It would be so exciting to meet new people, learn new languages, and eat new kinds of cuisines and pet different types of animals. Due to the difference in the climatic conditions of Earth and Mars, the flora and fauna of the two planets is not likely to match. We will thus get a chance to witness newer varieties of plants and animals on Mars. I really wish Mars is not yet perturbed with technology and that people on that planet live in harmony with nature. It would be blissful living in such a place.

Whether Mars is or will ever be fit for inhabiting is a question which is still likely to take several decades to answer. Numerous researches have already taken place in this regard and many others are going on. I really wish we get some crucial evidence on life on Mars soon.

Essay on Life on Mars FAQs

What is the life on mars.

There is no confirmed life on Mars yet; scientists are still exploring.

What is a short paragraph about Mars?

Mars is a planet in our solar system, often called the 'Red Planet' due to its rusty appearance.

Can people live on Mars essay?

People can't live on Mars without advanced technology and life support systems.

How do humans live on Mars?

Humans could live on Mars with life support and creating habitats.

There is no known life on Mars; it's a focus of scientific research.

What is the Mars essay?

An essay about Mars would talk about its features, exploration, and potential for human colonization.

What is the conclusion of life on Mars?

The conclusion about life on Mars is that it's a challenging environment, and more research is needed to understand its potential for life and human settlement.

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Essay on Life on Mars | Life on Mars Essay for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Life on Mars: There are many theories and fictions related to our solar system’s fourth planet. Several controversies related to life on Mars have come up in the late 20th and the 21st century. The plausibility of life already existing on Mars or in future humans inhabiting Mars is an excellent topic for writing and discussion.

You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Life on Mars for Students and Kids in English

Our article provides students with a long essay sample of 500 words and a short essay sample of 150 words on the topic ‘Life on Mars’ for reference.

Long Essay on Life on Mars 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Life on Mars is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Mars and the existence of life on it have been the research subject for over a century now. People have funded a lot of money, and they have invested a lot of time and effort to find if life ever existed on that planet or if in future people can live on Mars.

However, the thought of humans or any other being ever surviving on Mars might seem very far-fetched at present, but the idea is certainly a fascinating one for sure. The curiosity regarding the fourth planet of our Solar System increased because it has a similar size and position. The planet Mars was once very similar to our Earth many billion years ago.

With the aggregation of science and technology, the scientists have tried to dig up some dirt on Mars, both metaphorically and literally, with the help of some spacecraft, satellite imageries, rovers, etc. From observing the fourth planet of our Solar Systems’ position and nature, a lot of beneficial pieces of evidence have been gathered. The conclusions drawn from those interesting researches express that they cannot completely rule out life’s possibility to ever exist on the Red Planet.

Some of the most promising discoveries from the Red Planet that have fueled the thought of life on it are methane in Mars’ atmosphere, the evidence of liquid water traces from the Nocion period, and water in ice form on Mars at present. Irrespective of whatever progress one has made in discovering signs of life possible on Mars, some crucial challenges need to be solved before one can survive on the Red Planet:

The harsh surface conditions of planet Mars is not at all suitable for living beings.
The gravitational pull of Mars is about 38% that of Earth’s gravity, and this low gravity will cause bone demineralization, muscle loss, etc.
The Red Planet temperature ranges very low compared to that of Earth, i.e. it is between -87 degree Celsius and -5 degree Celsius.

The water scarcity of the planet will not be an easy problem to solve as it is said to be even drier than the driest desert of Earth. Another massive problem with surviving on Mars is that due to the ozone layer’s missing, the sun’s harmful rays also penetrate its atmosphere. Also, the high concentration of chlorine in the Red Planet soil will make cultivation of food almost impossible. Hence, to sum it up, establishing a worthy living environment on Mars for us would not be an easy task and not going to happen anytime soon.

It is very much possible that one-day humans might be able to turn Mars into a habitable planet but before astronauts are yet even to have a successful human landing on the Red Planet. My dream is to be that astronaut who is one of the first to step on Mars. Since there have not yet been any human landing attempts on Mars, hopefully, the human civilization will achieve that someday soon.

Short Essay on Life on Mars 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Life on Mars is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Scientists and researchers have spent years searching for some evidence of any trace of life on the Red planet. All researches till now have led to the indication of no previous trace of life on Mars. However, the evidence of some elements like frozen water, liquid water traces of past, and methane in the atmosphere of Mars have provided some hope of the existence of life on that Red deserted planet.

If I were to dream about going to Mars and having a life there, then I would like to explore it well. I wish I had enough superpowers to change that planet’s conditions to make it fit for humans to live in for when our Earth would not be enough.

However, I wish humans would learn from their mistakes of polluting the Earth, and if ever inhabits Mars or any other planets, they would keep it as pure as they found it in the beginning.

10 Lines on Life on Mars in English

Many stories are revolving around the fictitious concept of life on Mars.
People were intrigued by the idea of life on Mars because of its proximity and similarity to our planet Earth.
There exist many conspiracies revolving the cold deserted red fourth planet of our Solar System.
Scientists claim that there was once a massive ocean on Mars, making it seem very similar to Earth.
Because of the traces of liquid water on Mars in the past and the high temperatures at that time, researchers wonder about the possibility of life once on Mars.
It is said that some biosignatures on the surface of the Red Planet indicate the possibility of life on Mars.
Some theories about life on Mars also refer to the case of ‘refugee lives’ deep below the planet’s surface.
The shreds of evidence collected from the satellite and rover pictures show that there is no sign of plants or the so imagined ‘intelligent Martians’ on the surface of the Red planet.
One such news was disclosed in 1996, that a group of scientist discovered some bacterial evidence inside a Mars’ meteorite that came to Earth.
People keep their hopes up about finding life on Mars because it would mean that we are not alone in this vast universe.

FAQ’s on Life on Mars Essay

Question 1. What is the size of Mars when compared with our Earth?

Answer: The diameter of Mars is only half of what Earth’s is, and the surface area of Earth’s total land portion is that of the entire surface area of Mars.

Question 2. How could one hope life can exist in the challenging climate and conditions of Mars?

Answer: Since many resilient living beings are found in the most extremely harsh conditions on Earth, we can also hope that some sign of life might also be found on Mars one day.

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Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It’s the only planet we know of inhabited entirely by robots.

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Mars is no place for the faint-hearted. It’s dry, rocky, and bitter cold. The fourth planet from the Sun, Mars, is one of Earth's two closest planetary neighbors (Venus is the other). Mars is one of the easiest planets to spot in the night sky – it looks like a bright red point of light.

Despite being inhospitable to humans, robotic explorers – like NASA's Perseverance rover – are serving as pathfinders to eventually get humans to the surface of the Red Planet.

JUly 25, 2024

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Why Do We Go?

Mars is one of the most explored bodies in our solar system, and it's the only planet where we've sent rovers to explore the alien landscape. NASA missions have found lots of evidence that Mars was much wetter and warmer, with a thicker atmosphere, billions of years ago.

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Curiosity is investigating Mars to determine whether the Red Planet was ever habitable to microbial life.

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission is the first mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere.

An illustration of a spacecraft over Mars

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter searches for evidence that water persisted on the surface of Mars for a long period of time.

A gold-colored spacecraft orbits over Mars, with a dish antenna extending from its top, a spindly boom extending from the front of it toward the viewer, and a large three-paneled solar array attached vertically to its left side. Mars appears as a dusty tan color covering the lower half of the frame, with patches of white at its top, against a black sky flecked with stars in the upper frame.

Mars Odyssey

Mars Odyssey mission created the first global map of chemical elements and minerals that make up the Martian surface.

Mars Resources

View the one-stop shop for all Mars iconic images, videos, and more!

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Humans to mars.

Like the Moon, Mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and a driver of technologies that will enable humans to travel and explore far from Earth.

Mars remains our horizon goal for human exploration because it is one of the only other places we know in the solar system where life may have existed. What we learn about the Red Planet will tell us more about our Earth’s past and future, and may help answer whether life exists beyond our home planet.

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NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie, made up of 62 individual images, on July 23. A rock nicknamed “Cheyava Falls,” which has features that may bear on the question of whether the Red Planet was long ago home to microscopic life, is to the left of the rover near the center of the image.

Mars Exploration

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Facts about Mars

How much do you know about the red planet.

Calling all budding young space cadets! Join us on an out-of-this-world adventure with our fascinating facts about Mars…

1) Named after the Roman God of war , Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system .

2) Mars is also known as the ‘ Red Planet ’ because, well, it’s red! This signature colour comes from the large amount of a chemical called iron oxide (or ‘rust’ as you might know it) in its rocks and soil.

3) Mars is the second smallest planet in the solar system after Mercury . With a diameter (distance through the middle) of 6,791 kilometres , it’s roughly half the size of Earth .

4) It can get pretty cold on Mars –– much colder than our own planet , since it’s further away from the sun. At the equator, temperatures can reach 20°C , but at its poles they can plummet to as low as -140°C . Brr !

5) Mars is home to the highest mountain in our solar system –– a volcano called Olympus Mons . Standing a whopping 24 kilometres high , it’s about three times the height of Mount Everest!

Did you know…? There are bits of Mars here on Earth! In the past, asteroids hit the Red Planet, sending debris into space. Some of this debris landed on our planet as meteorites.

6) You could jump around three times higher on Mars than you can on Earth. Boing ! This is because the planet’s gravity – the force that keeps us on the ground – is much weaker.

7) Do you like to look at the moon at night? Well, check this out –– Mars has two moons ! One is called Phobos and the other Deimos .

8) A day on Mars is 24 hours and 37 minutes –– only a little bit longer than a day on our own planet. A year on Mars, however, is almost twice as long, lasting 687 Earth days ! This is because it takes a lot longer than Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Mars primary resource ? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

9) Until recently, scientists believed that there was no liquid water on the surface of Mars –– only rocks, soil dust and ice. But… News flash! In 2018, they found evidence of a lake under the planet’s south polar ice cap. Exciting stuff!

10) Humans have not yet been to Mars, but scientists have sent spacecraft there to help them research this fascinating planet. The first spacecraft to land on Mars were the Viking Landers , which touched down on the surface in 1976 .

Want to learn more? Check out our facts about Earth , discover top Moon facts and learn about world-famous astronaut Neil Armstrong .

What did you think of our facts about Mars? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Essay on Life on Mars

List of essays on life on mars in english, essay on life on mars – essay 1 (150 words), essay on life on mars: with conclusion – essay 2 (250 words), essay on life on mars: future and past instances – essay 3 (300 words), essay on life on mars – essay 4 (400 words), essay on life on mars: popular expeditions – essay 5 (500 words), essay on life on mars: finding, future and conclusion – essay 6 (600 words), essay on life on mars: studies, experiments and missions – essay 7 (750 words), essay on life on mars: introduction, facts and investigations – essay 8 (1000 words).

Life on Mars is yet a matter of research for scientists. Mars is also known as the Red Planet and is right next to earth in the solar system. Surprisingly, images and evidence gathered in the past few years, confirm the existence of oxygen and water on the planet.

Even if, there is no life on Mars until now, scientists strongly hope for the possibility of it. The reason is the presence of oxygen and water in the form of snow. Both of these factors could play an essential role in the likelihood of life on Mars.

Over the decades, all kinds of spacecraft and satellites have been put to work for collecting as much information about life on Mars as possible. So far, whatever has been known to us, is not enough to give any solid conclusion about whether life on Mars has ever existed or not.

Introduction:

How will life on Mars be? If there was life on Mars, would it be possible for humans to live on it? These questions have aroused the curiosity of many. Therefore, it would only be proper to understand what Mars is all about.

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and the second smallest after Mercury in the solar system. It is popularly referred to as the red planet. Let us now consider the intricate details of this planet.

Proof of Life on Mars:

There have been confirmations of water and magnetic fields previously protecting the planet. Other scientists believe that water stills exist on Mars but because of its topography and atmosphere it would be salty. As a result, it is believed that the planet Mars has the environmental conditions necessary to support life.

The atmosphere of air on Mars is mostly carbon dioxide. Also, air on the planet is a hundred times thinner than that on planet earth. Hence, it would be difficult for humans to breathe on Mars without a spacesuit filled with oxygen. Plants and animals can’t seem to survive on Mars due to the planet’s gravity which is 38% of Earth.

Exploration of Mars:

In spite of all our curiosities, no one has actually been able to venture into the planet. In the early ’70s, for the first time, mechanical objects were sent on an explorative mission to check for life on Mars. Two robots, known as Viking 1 and Viking 2 were sent to the planet to observe and gather intelligence. They lasted for 6 and 4 years respectively. Robots expeditions have continued till recent times and have grown to include orbiters, landers, and rovers.

Conclusion:

The possibility of life on Mars, till date, has continually captured the attention and interests of both scientists and non-scientists. Whether fantasy or not, it is the wish of many that one day man will be able to step on Mars comfortably.

Life on Mars is one of the debatable subjects that come up every now and then. Scientists are working day in and day out to confirm the presence of life on Mars; however, there is no concrete proof as of now. There are a lot of people who believe that there is a presence of intelligent life on Mars but all we can do is waiting till the rumours are turned true.

The Future:

If we happen to detect life on Mars, it will open up a world of new possibilities. Along with finding out what kind of life exists in Mars and the kind of atmosphere which is present, there are plenty of other things which will have to be examined as well.

The space is full of so many puzzling stories and it is imperative to pay heed to the specifics. Until and unless, the scientists manage to find concrete proof that life on Mars is not just an imaginary concept but a reality, things really can’t materialize a great deal.

The Past Instances:

There have been a few instances wherein some scientists have claimed that they spotted life on Mars. Of course, the precise signs can vary and when asked, they couldn’t come up with a concrete proof. It very much boils down to your belief and imagination. But given the massive size of the space and how endless it truly is, it surely is likely that there is intelligent life out there.

Whether we find life on Mars or on some other planet inside our galaxy or outside is a question which is put to debate. We truly need to wait for the scientists to come up with the best results.

The bottom-line remains the fact that if aliens exist they might also be in the quest to find someone like them. Life on Mars definitely sounds a very interesting topic to dig further on.

Life on Mars is one of the mysteries that all the scientists in our world have been researching for over decades. The existence of life on Mars or probably its possibility is being discussed and the studies are yet to go through a long way before a conclusion.

Mars is the red planet, closest to earth and the fourth among our planets in the solar system. Many types of research and studies have proved that Mars has a similar atmosphere to that of Earth. This triggered the concept of life on Mars in the minds of our genius scientists.

Many astronautic devices, space crafts, rovers, etc., are used to check whether any evidence or sign of life on Mars can be found to prove the theory. But every attempts to find the possibility has found negative results till date. But frequent efforts are being taken from the scientific side of our world to find life on Mars a possibility.

Similarities:

Studies and constant research have found oxygen content to be present on the surface of the red planet. However, it is not as habitat-able as on Earth for humans to survive or breathe. But this miraculous discovery has seeded the life on Mars theory further on.

Later on, water presence on the planet was also found, but in its solid form, ice. The latest update was given by the rover that three kinds of microbial organisms were found when the land sample was being examined by them. This has created a major spark in the research of life on Mars theory.

All these studies prove that there may be some kind of life on Mars but however, that may not be very similar to that of life on Earth. The living creature may be different form every species of flora and fauna living in our world.

Responsibility:

Even if life on Mars is found and the possibility is being proven, there are some ethics and responsibilities we should be following. We, humans, have almost destroyed the beauty and diversity of our mother Earth. The same mistake should not be done in case of life on Mars.

Instead of finding more technological advancements that eventually destroys the life on Mars, we should focus on more sustainable ways to exist in the new environment. Exploring new ways of life is not a bad thing, but instead of destructing the life on Mars we should find a mutual way to exist on the planet along with maintaining its natural beauty.

Mars is a planet which has the closest of similarities with the planet earth. Hence there has been most research on the chances of discovery of life on this planet. Mars, also known as the red planet remains a mystery for us for many reasons although as on today we know a lot of about than we did some fifty years ago.

Early Expeditions:

While space crafts equipped with robotics have given us magnificent perspectives, no people have ever endeavoured to adventure to Mars, and no such missions will endeavour for a long time. Meanwhile, NASA is buckling down now to find whether there is life on Mars. Different nations have been sending space crafts to orbit or land there since the 1960s, and every mission encourages us more about this entrancing planet. We have discovered that despite the fact that Mars is more like Earth than anyplace else in the close planetary system, and subsequently is the best place to search for life, it is as yet unique in relation to Earth from numerous points of view.

Why Mars may not be another Earth?

The earth and Mars have a lot of similarities between them. However, there are some critical differences which make them look so different. A compass focuses toward the north post on Earth in light of the fact that our entire planet acts like a giant magnet; however, Mars does not act along these lines. Other than turning a compass needle, Earth’s attractive field dismisses hazardous radiations coming from the space. Without an attractive field on Mars and with a whole lot less air than on Earth, more unsafe space radiation reaches its surface, making the possibility of life thin. However, there have been instances of polar ice found of Mars suggesting that water and even early forms of, life could have existed on this red planet.

Some Popular Expeditions:

In 1976, NASA landed spacecraft named Viking 1 and Viking 2 on Mars. One of these landers worked there for almost 4 years and the other kept orbiting it for over 6 years. Among their logical tests were the main ones so far explicitly intended to find whether there was something little for instance small microscopic organisms living on Mars? Most researchers are of the view that the outcomes don’t lead to any indications of life. The shuttle had cameras that returned a large number of pictures of the surface, demonstrating the changing seasons and delicacies of the stones and earth close to the stationary landers. However, the cameras did not show any signs of life on the planet.

Did Life ever exist on Mars?

Regardless of whether there was no life on Mars, it is energizing to realize whether there used to be lives there. So notwithstanding searching for living microscopic organisms, space agencies will look for small fossils that may show life did begin on Mars at some of the time may be hundreds or thousands of years ago. Maybe sometime in future we may have expeditions where man lands on Mars just as we landed on the Moon one day. But for now, there remains no evidence to support that life does exist on Mars today.

Life on Mars has been an idea in people’s minds since we discovered how the planet looks. Compared to the other ones in our solar system Mars is a planet that is most similar to our homeland. One can argue that life on Mars is just a part of our imagination and something that will never be achieved, a hypothetical idea far from realization. But there are others who wholeheartedly believe that life on Mars is possible and, some argue, there was life on this planet before.

Is life on Mars possible?

To answer the question of whether or not life on Mars is possible we first need to look at all the prerequisites for life to exist. Some scientists have made a list of nineteen factors that need to be present on a planet for it to sustain life as it is encountered on planet Earth.

Even though Mars is bigger as a planet the Earth and it has soil on it unlike some of the other planets that are orbiting the Sun, many of the key factors for life are missing. Life on Mars is impossible without water to sustain the growth of plant life that we need to feed ourselves. The other big problem with life on Mars is the lack of an ozone layer and therefore of air.

The Findings:

Over the past decades, human explorations of space has made us question the possibility of life on Mars. Such questioning naturally led to missions of exploration and different national space agencies investigated the planet the best they could.

One such exploration of life on Mars sent a probe to the planet to collect a soil sample, this happened in 1976. The scientists were searching for any evidence of life like bacteria but they found nothing that would indicate the existence of a life form on this planet

Then in 1996, the question of the prior existence of life on Mars was asked once more when a meteorite from the planet fell to Earth. The sample collected showed fossilized bacteria and other simple life forms that existed on the planet. After several years of research, the majority of scientist found that the meteorite actually had no evidence in support of life on Mars, the claim was disputed but some researchers still maintain that the evidence is present in the findings.

The future of life on Mars is not as bleak as the idea that there was life on the planet earlier. Many people are creating hypothetical programs that would support life on Mars and there is a general idea present that humanity could colonize the planet successfully and turn it into their new home. What remains is a real investment in the projects that would experiment with life on Mars and this can only be achieved with state funding. In the end, the future of life on Mars depends on our attempt to settle on the planet and on the individuals willing to fulfill such a goal.

Life on Mars is not just a childish dream but a real project that has many people excited. The great thing about this idea is that it opens up a whole new field of inquiry and a search for solutions to very specific and one could say planetary problems. Such problems offer a wide range of opportunities for us to imagine new technologies and to invent new machines to use for space exploration. People are doing the best they can to explore the possibility of life on Mars and once more resources get pushed towards this exploration of the planet, we will see incredible results.

Mars is a planet just like earth due to its similarity in life sustaining properties. Although there has been no evidence of life on mars previously and so there is no cumulative evidence of life in Mars. Mars is adjacent to earth and has environmental components that are similar to those on earth. Scientists have speculated that Mars has a possibility of sustaining life just like earth and the components of life sustainability have been analyzed.

Is Mars habitable?

According to scientists, there is possibility of habitation in Mars. However, the environmental parameters could be insufficient but scientists have not made a conclusive report on them. The availability of water on Mars has been confirmed because liquid water was found on the surface. The environmental chemicals that have been established to be present are essential metals and nutrients. The source of energy would be solar energy and geochemical energy. Physical conditions like temperature, atmospheric pressure and climate changes were also determined to be able to sustain life. In the past, microbes were suspected to have existed on Mars. Up to date, evidence of life on Mars has not been established. Ionizing radiations are present and coexist with cosmic radiation in Mars. There is no magnetic shields on Mars due to the loss of the protective magnetosphere and atmosphere. This results in deleterious effects of radiations to living things.

Conditions that enable survival of living things range from the temperatures, radiations, humidity, atmospheric components and pressure. Life on mars has been made to appear impossible but there are some survival strategies with limited functions of reproduction, ability to thrive and evolution of living organisms.

Studies, experiments and missions to Mars:

There have been studies, missions and experiments that have been done to determine life on Mars. The first journey to Mars began in 1962with the launching of a spacecraft. The mission was called Mars 1. This space craft lost communication on the way to mars. Although communication was lost, there were few findings that were recorded. There were temperature abnormalities on the surface of Mars. And no signs of life on Mars were detected.

Mars 4 was another mission that was successful in 1965, results showed that there was no evidence of water in Mars through photographs which showed lack of water bodies like rivers and oceans. Findings showed that there was no magnetic field in the globe. The atmospheric pressure was also established to be too low compared to that of earth. After determination of these harsh conditions that are threatening to life of multicellular organisms, scientists started speculating for microbial life. Thereafter, Viking orbiters continued to look for evidence of life. The experiment were focused on soil to determine life on Mars for microbes but the results were inconclusive for existence of life.

Perchlorates have been determined to be present on Mars. It is very destructive compound that cannot sustain living things.

Reasons for human colonization of Mars:

All the studies, experiments and missions to Mars have been termed human colonization of the planet. The main reason for this colonization is economical interest. People want to be established economically hence the quest to find evidence of life on mars. Also, there is curiosity that drives scientists into finding more about evidence of life on Mars. The colonization process requires a lot of resources e.g., robots and technologies that are advanced and therefore there are attempts to develop these resources to enable research to be continued. Astronomic adventures and scientists are ambitious in the colonization of Mars.

In conclusion, no matter how similar mars is to earth, the possibility of human life sustenance is limited. Through experiments, the conditions of life sustenance are adverse and unable to promote survival. In as much as survival is limited, the presence of deleterious components are more pronounced in Mars than on earth. These deleterious components include harmful chemicals like perchlorate, heavy metals like lead, ionizing and cosmic radiations which contribute to impossible habitation of Mars by humans. However, life on Mars has not been determined to be completely impossible because a larger scope of research has not been done. Life on Mars is still inconclusive and research is ongoing. The absence of a protective magnosphere and atmosphere give poor prognosis with matters of life sustenance even with adjustments of other parameters. In as much as we desire life on a different planet, earth is still the best place to be. Earth provides and sustain living things comfortably.

As we all know, Mars is the fourth planet in distance in our solar system from of course the sun. It is the second least planet when the sizes of the planets are considered, only mercury is smaller than mars. Mars has some similarities to the earth where we human beings live. Most especially, there are similarities in our atmospheres. These similarities may be as a result of the proximity of the planet mars to our own earth. The planet mars is popularly called the red planet because of the abundance of iron oxide that is reddish in colour on the surface of the planet and this gives the planet a very reddish and distinctive appearance that separates it from the other planets and can be seen clearly; it is probably the most studied planet in our solar system. The continuous study of the planet mars has indicated that there is the probability that life exists on the planet and it can support life.

The Possibility and Probability of Life on Mars:

The very first evidence indicating life on Mars is dated back to the early 19 th century. Astronomers and scientists have since then been interested in mars and have been trying and striving to learn more about the red planet. There have been numerous operations of research over the years that were conducted to discover whether mars support life (if there is currently life on mars, if there ever was life on mars or if it can support life in the future). A lot of these researchers involved have claimed that our planet here is very much similar to mars when we put the atmospheres into consideration. It is important to note that the atmosphere of mars is very much colder than that of earth.

The environment and surroundings of mars is not believed to be fit and safe for human beings to live even though there is oxygen available and present in the atmosphere and all over mars. In the past, there used to signs of the presence of water in its liquid state on Mars, the only form of water we have on mars today are the ice caps that we have on the planet. As a result of this, the land of the planet mars is largely barren. Scientists and researchers recently sent a curiosity rover to the mars that has greatly helped in the exploration of the planet a lot further. The land dug by the rover on mars has led to the discovery that there are three very different types of molecules that are organic on mars and this point to the possibility that there might be the existence of some sort of life or living organism on mars.

Some facts about the planet mars and the earth:

It has been discovered that seasonal cycles and period of rotation of the planet earth is very similar to that of the planet earth. The Olympus Mon which is the volcano that is largest and also the mountain that is second highest in all of the big solar system. There are two moons on the planet mars and they are named: deimos and phobos both of which are irregularly shaped and very small.

Investigations on the habitability of mars:

Investigations are ongoing on the assessment of the habitability of the mars in the past and also the possibility and probability of life on mars. There are plans of missions of future astrobiology like Exomars and Mars 2020 rovers. Because of the extremely low and little atmospheric pressure of mars, the existence of liquid water is impossible on mar’s surface. The atmospheric pressure of the planet mars is almost lower than 1% of the atmospheric pressure of the earth.

The planet mars has two ice caps at the poles that seem to be formed majorly from water. It is believed that the quantity and volume of iced water that is in the ice cap of the south pole is more than enough to immerse the entire surface of the planet mars to about 11 meters in depth if it is melted. Around 2016, it was reported by NASA that they found a large quantity of ice underground in some of the regions on mars including Utopia Planitia. The volume and quantity of water that has been detected on mars is estimated to equal to the quantity and amount of water that we have in the Lake Superior.

It is very possible to see the planet mars from the earth even with naked eyes; it red colouring is very conspicuous from the earth. The apparent magnitude of the planet mars reaches about -2.94 and is only exceeded by the apparent magnitudes of the sun, the moon, Venus and Jupiter. Optical telescopes that are ground based are primarily limited to only resolving features that are about 190 miles or 300 kilometres across when Mars and Earth are very close due to the atmosphere of the earth.

Some physical characteristics of the planet mars:

The planet mars is almost half of the earth’s diameter and the surface area of the mars is only a little bit lesser in size than the earth’s total dry land area. The earth is also denser than the planet mars and the volume of the planet mars is only about 15% of the volume of earth and the mass of the planet mars is only about 11% of the mass of the planet earth. This means that the surface gravity of the planet mars is only about 38% of the surface gravity of the planet earth.

There is still no solid assurance or certainty that the mars will be able to safely and fully support life like the planet earth. It is a serious question that might take several years to answer; we do not know for sure if the planet mars will one day be fit and safe for inhabiting. A lot of various researches are currently ongoing to discover and work on life on mars.

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“Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

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Why Mars? Essay by Carl Sagan

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Astronomy Issues: Life on Mars Research Paper

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Introduction

The surface of mars, the atmosphere, controversial issues about mars, the idea of transforming mars, the idea of preserving the planet, summary and conclusion.

Mars is a planet that is similar and closer to earth than other planets. The planet has soil and rocks on its surface, and it has some gases in the atmosphere. Earlier researches indicated that there was a possibility of having some water, which is an essential aspect of life. According to astronomical researches, Mars has a cold climate, and the length of days and nights in Mars have a pattern similar to the one on Earth.

Moreover, since the axial tilt of Mars is similar to Earth’s axial tilt, the two planets experience the same seasons. The mentioned findings cause much anxiety as scientists suspect that the planet may support life.

If the assumptions are true, it would be necessary to find out if there was some ancient life on Mars and the possibility of having life on Mars. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration agency (NASA) has done several aerospace types of research to find out if indeed the planet can support life. This paper will take a stringent analysis of the research findings to determine the possibility of life on Mars.

In 1864, some curious astronomers gazed at Mars through telescopes, and they perceived the surface of Mars to have some vegetation. However, a spacecraft was able to arrive on Mars a hundred years later, and interestingly, there was no vegetation on Mars. The land was bare, and there was no evidence of water or life. Since then, several robotic spacecraft have arrived on the planet, but none has proved that Mars has a sign of life.

The most interesting thing to note is the earth’s magnetic field that turns away dangerous radiation particles in the space. Mars has no magnetic field to turn away the dangerous radiations; therefore, the planet is hostile to any form of life (Space Place, 2014, para. 5). The magnetic shield protects the atmosphere from losing moisture; therefore, lack of it makes the planes susceptible to losing its atmospheric moisture to the solar wind.

Mars has less air than the earth does, and there is no evidence of water on the planet. In case there was water on the planet, it must have been too saline to support life. The scientific experiments facilitated by robotic spacecraft that arrived in Mars never revealed any sign of living microorganisms in the soil.

Indeed, the absence of living microorganisms in the soil is a clear indication of the absence of water on the red planet. NASA has also employed efforts to find out whether the soil particles might contain tiny fossils that would be a sign of ancient life on Mars. So far, the aerospace research reports have not found any feasible results indicating the presence of life in the cold desert.

The Red Planet’s surface temperatures lie between -143oc and +27oc, and indeed, these temperatures are considerably low. The most controversial fact about Mars is the thin atmospheric pressure that is about 1% of that on earth (Turner, 2004, p. 306).

The air is dry with no liquid water, and the ultraviolet radiations in the atmosphere cannot support life in any way. It is noteworthy that Mars’ polar caps have frozen carbon dioxide, which would thicken the atmosphere if released into the air through warming.

Interestingly, there is no rain on Mars, and the planet obtains less sunshine than the Earth due to its long distance from the sun. Although carbon dioxide that is necessary for photosynthesis is plenty on the Red Planet, it is almost impossible for the planet to support plant life because of the lack of light energy (Hunter, 2013, p. 22). In the absence of the plants, herbivorous cannot survive, and consequently, the carnivorous cannot survive on the Red Planet.

No one can tell the truth about the images that show large river channel networks on the Red Planet. Explorers are wondering if the layered sediments may imply that Mars had some flowing rivers in the past. There are assumptions that Mars was a warm and wet place, but for unknown reasons, everything dried up.

It is noteworthy that air and water are the most important aspects of life; interestingly, Mars cannot support liquid water because of its low temperatures. Secondly, the atmospheric pressure on Mars cannot allow the exchange of gases. While animals need high atmospheric pressure with plenty of oxygen, the plants need small amounts of oxygen, and the two living things exchange gases for survival.

Some researches indicated that there were some traces of methane gas in the atmosphere, and thus it is impossible for the planet to support life (“Life of Mars,” 2013, p. 2). Nitrogen is another very important element of life, but the nitrogen levels in the atmosphere are considerably lower on the Red Planet.

Moreover, no biological process supports nitrogen fixation into the atmosphere. Thus the planet cannot support life. However, scientists believe that initially, the planet had a thick atmosphere, and people can do something to make the place habitable.

Indeed, scientists are seriously considering the idea of transforming Mars into a habitable planet. The first thing that came up was heating the polar caps to release the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The approach would help in thickening and warming the atmosphere, which would support liquid water that is essential for life. The considerably low temperatures would increase to manageable levels that can support life.

Scientist thought of mirrors that would reflect extra light onto the poles and warm it up. They also thought of the black color that absorbs heat, and they had the idea of sprinkling dark dust onto the poles of the Red Planet.

The most promising idea was introducing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to warm up the planet (Marinova, 2008, para. 7). Indeed, the latter idea would be the most viable provided the scientists used greenhouse gases with long atmospheric lifetimes. This would ensure that the entire exercise would have minimal effects on the ozone layer of the planet.

Later on, researchers found out that the best greenhouse gas that can warm up the planet is perfluoropropane. This hybrid gas is a combination of all gases released by industries in the entire globe, and the gas is not portable. Therefore, the idea of introducing greenhouse gases into the red planet’s atmosphere would hold if industries were set up on Mars.

The issue was politicized, and the opposing group could not find it worthwhile to introduce the greenhouse gases that have already proved to have negative effects on the climate on Earth.

On the other hand, the scientists, who were for the idea indicated that planet Earth has an evolved ecosystem, explored the existence of various life forms; however, there is no ecosystem in Mars. Although there may be some organisms living underground, they cannot prevent explorers and scientists from undertaking their experiments.

Although some scientists are strongly proposing that they should try to establish ways through which Mars can support life, others are arguing that it is unreasonable to tamper with natural creation. Some people feel that Mars is a beautiful planet that ought to be preserved for future generations.

This is because if scientists manage to heat Mars, they may find it difficult to introduce oxygen into the atmosphere of the planet. People will have to wear oxygen masks and struggle to survive in the high-pressure atmosphere. Indeed, Earth is unique because of its ability to support life, and therefore, trying to transform Mars may sound to be theoretically feasible, but it is practically impossible.

From the discussions, it is evident that scientists are desperately looking for ways to enable Mars to support life. They are curious about finding any evidence about the ancient existence of life on the Red Planet. The scientists are not ready to quit, and they are keeping on with the search for complex organics that support life.

Although some scientists said that they had found a habitable environment on Mars, they have not shed enough light of the habitable environment on the Red Planet. Currently, there is no life on Mars, as the planet is much drier and colder than it was in the ancient days.

The scientists are continuing with their research of the ways of transforming Mars into a habitable place. It is about 50 years since the first aircraft was able to reach Mars and scientists have not yet found a viable solution. The research is ongoing, and it may take quite some time before the scientists find a way of establishing life on Mars.

Hunter, M. G. (2013). Life on Mars 3: More study of NASA’s Mars photos. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris Corporation.

Life on Mars fades after curiosity rover methane findings. (2013). The Australian , 35 (9), 1-2.

Marinova, M. (2008). Life on Mars: Terraforming the Red Planet . Web.

Space Place: Is there life on Mars? (2014). Web.

Turner, M. J. (2004). Expedition Mars . New York, NY: Springer.

An Artificial Satellite
Telescope's Part in Astronomy
Mars: Water and the Martian Landscape
Astronomy of the Planets: Kepler's Law, Lunar Eclipse, Moon
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
The Usefulness of Earth Observation Satellites
NASA's Lunar Surveyor Program
Cost for Failed Systems: NASA Program
Life outside planet Earth
Life in This Universe
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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Bibliography

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Astronauts — Challenges And Benefits Of Manned Mission To Mars

Challenges and Benefits of Manned Mission to Mars

Categories: Astronauts Mars Space Exploration

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Published: Oct 25, 2021

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Benefits and drawbacks: human vs. robotic exploration.

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Ming-hui Cai

Liang-liang xu.

Deep space missions towards the moon, mars and Jupiter have developed these years, where spacecrafts would expose in high fluxes of solar energetic protons which demands the understanding of discharging mechanism by protons. In this paper, dielectric breakdown of polyimide(PI) material irradiated by 40MeV-protons was studied both experimentally and simulatively. Discharge of PI materials with different thicknesses of 21.5mm, 15.5mm, 13.6mm and 8.2mm were investigated. For PI films with thickness of 21.5mm, 15.5mm, and 13.6mm, discharges were firstly triggered while reaching integral fluxes of 1.2×1012p/cm2, 2.7×1012p/cm2 and 1.2×1012p/cm2, respectively. Besides, discharge events originated by secondary electrons were also studied.

Keywords: Dielectric discharge, Protons, 40MeV, PI material.

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