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The Atacama Desert is the driest in the world and its conditions are similar to those of Mars. This is a subject many have heard many times. That is why it is not strange that NASA has decided to try in this area of Chile, more than once, the robots that will explore the Red planet.
However, data collected by a group of scientists from different universities. As Yale it's him NUS College in Singapore; and published in the journal Frontiers of Microbiology, gives greater relevance to studies conducted in the desert.
According to the report; one of the robots that NASA is tested in the Atacama Desert, found samples that could help humanity find extraterrestrial life.
The scientific publication indicates that the & # 39; rover & # 39; extracted soil samples containing foreign and highly specialized microbes; which were scattered. These microbes – according to research quoted by the British newspaper The Independent – show a special ability to survive with very limited quantities of water and nutrients in the soil, as well as their chemistry.
In this way, scientists are confident that the probe will be able to search successfully for any potential life on Mars; or anywhere else. And that also these particularly resistant microbes may be similar to those that currently exist on the red planet.
"The geochemical analysis indicated soluble salts and microbiology that influenced the bioavailability of water, especially in deeper sediments. Colonization was also irregular and the uncolonized sediment was associated with indicators of extreme osmotic challenge. The study identifies the link between biocomplexity, moisture and geochemistry; in sediments similar to Mars at the limit of habitability and demonstrates the feasibility of the drill mounted on a vehicle for the future recovery of Mars samples, "says the document.
The Importance of Discovery
Yale-NUS College professor in Singapore, Stephen Pointing, who led microbial research; He said the results of his work are critical. Because hWe have shown that a robot can reclaim the soil in the desert most similar to Mars on Earth "
"This is important because most scientists agree that any life on Mars would have to occur below the surface to escape harsh surface conditions where high radiation, low temperature and lack of water make life unlikely," he said. he said.
"We found microbes adapted to high levels of salt, similar to what could be expected in the basement of Mars, these microbes are very different from those that occur on the surface of the deserts," explained Professor Pointing.
It should be remembered that NASA and the European Space Agency are working to send Mars, by 2020, robots that are capable of pursuing life beneath the surface of the red planet.
Therefore, this type of research helps ensure that missions are successful. They also contribute to proving the way in whichrovers They must be able to deal with the hostile environment on Mars.
The keys to finding extraterrestrial life are in South America: an impressive NASA discovery.
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