Oxygen appears on Mars before Earth 1.5 billion years

Scientists at the University of Oxford (UK) believe that Mars has a gourd when it is rich in oxygen 1.5 billion years earlier than Earth.

>>>There was drinking water on Mars

Professor Bernard Wood and colleagues at Oxford University compared the meteorite-derived meteorite to Earth and data on the rocks on the red planet examined by the Spirit's probe. US Space Agency (NASA).

The difference in the composition of the Martian meteorite and the rock data collected by the Spirit probe can help explain the existence of oxygen in the Martian atmosphere in a new era. city ​​of this planet.

Photo of a Spirit probe simulated on Mars

The Spirit probe has discovered one of the oldest areas on Mars, containing rocks formed more than 3.7 billion years ago. These stones show signs of being affected by oxygen since their formation. Meanwhile, the Martian meteorite is behind the surface so it is less affected by oxygen.

From the data, scientists have concluded that oxygen began to affect the surface of Mars about 4 billion years ago, 1.5 billion years earlier than when oxygen did not start shown in the Earth's atmosphere.

'The analytical results show that Mars is elected when it is rich in oxygen at about 4 billion years ago, much earlier than when oxygen appeared in Earth's atmosphere about 2.5 billion years ago. year , 'said Bernard Wood, head of research.

In the early age on Earth, oxygen in the atmosphere gradually increased thanks to photosynthesis of bacteria. However, scientists are not sure about the relationship between oxygen and life on Mars. They argue that oxygen on the Red Planet can be produced from microorganisms or from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Last May, scientists also discovered pebbles on Mars from photographs sent by Nasa probe. This is evidence that a stream once flowed on the red planet. This means the possibility of life ever existed on this planet.