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If it were possible for there to be active civilization on the Martian surface (whether it evolved there or otherwise) or an oasis of Martian life forms that had evolved a resistance to the radiation the planet is constantly bathed in, is there enough unexplored room on Mars surface for our rovers to find them?
There is no possible chance of an active civilization.
Even microbial life or something underground is dodgy. If Gaia theory is to be believed, when life takes over, it changes its environment that more life can spread. Scientists perhaps don't believe this literally, but say something very similar, in that places with life would be active, and the life would be obvious.
For example, an atmosphere rich in oxygen is a good chemical signature, because oxygen is extremely reactive and in order for it to exist, it has to be constantly replenished.
Now, we are confirming replenishing methane on mars, but it is in small amounts, and there are other possible sources of methane. Our best bet to find life would be methanogen microbes under the surface. I don't think it looks good. If those microbes were there, then why not evolve into more complicated eco-systems that gave more clear chemical signals?
Europa is the place to look for life, as well as other dwarf planets and moon that are thought to have sub-surface oceans due to tidal heating or radioactive decay. Such places include Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Ceres, Enceladus, and surprising, Pluto.
Perhaps the best place is Titan, which is now thought to have a subsurface ocean of liquid water, and is EXTREMELY chemically interesting otherwise.
Mars, alas, is probably dead, though I hope that I am wrong.
If those microbes were there, then why not evolve into more complicated eco-systems that gave more clear chemical signals?
You mean why haven't we seen more signs of replenished oxygen or carbon dioxide?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cachibatches
There is no possible chance of an active civilization.
And when I was talking about an active civilization, what I mostly had in mind was a colony/settlement that was extraterrestrial in origin (i.e. Mars was colonized by a civilization that came from another planet/celestial body); I imagine these settlements to be covered by protective domes that shield them from the harmful radiation. Just thought I'd clarify that.
OK, thanks. I didn't suspect that because of the low mass of Pluto but of course its moon is rather large. Even so, the gravity between them can't be anything like between Jupiter and its moons. Or so I would have thought.
For example, an atmosphere rich in oxygen is a good chemical signature, because oxygen is extremely reactive and in order for it to exist, it has to be constantly replenished.
Well, there is oxygen on Mars. It may not be as much as there is on Earth, but it's definitely there.
If there was a civilization on MARS surface, we would have found it by now. Right now we are looking for signs of any life on MARS.
How obvious would such a surface civilization be? I mean, our rovers haven't explored very much of Mars' surface, so I think the only way we'd know about a civilization by now is through the satellites we positioned around Mars, but do correct me if I'm mistaken. I mean, other than visual evidence, what signs would a civilization on the surface of Mars leave for us to have found by now?
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