Martian Meteorites Yield Clues to the Planet’s Early Atmosphere

April 17, 2014


Meteorites Yield Clues to Early Atmosphere of Mars

Cross-polarized transmitted light microscopy image of augite crystals in the 1.3 billion-year-old Martian meteorite MIL 03346. The main crystal shows â€˜herring boneâ€ banding and also contains numerous dark melt inclusions. This image illustrates a research paper by UMD’s Heather Franz, James Farquhar et al, analyzing sulfur isotopic ratios in 40 Martian meteorites and published in “Nature” 4/17/14. Credit: James Day

Using data from meteorites that fell to Earth from Mars, scientists investigate the chemical composition of the Martian atmosphere throughout history, and learn whether the planet has ever been hospitable to life.














Publication: Heather B. Franz, et al., “Isotopic links between atmospheric chemistry and the deep sulphur cycle on Mars,” Nature 508, 364–368 (17 April 2014); doi:10.1038/nature13175

Source: University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Image: James Day

, , , , ,

Subscribe / Follow


One Response to “Martian Meteorites Yield Clues to the Planet’s Early Atmosphere”

  1. Madanagopal.V.C. Says:

    Energy utilization from the surroundings is the key plot for thriving of a living being, whether mobile or immobile in any planet. The planet’s atmosphere will always be composed of Methane (CH4), Carbon-di-oxide (CO2), Ammonia (NH3),Sulphur-Di-Oxide (SO2), Water Vapour (H2O), or simple Di-atomic elements like (Hydrogen)H2,(Helium)He,Nitrogen)N2 or (Oxygen) O2, which is derived from the fact that first three rows of the periodic table starting from Hydrogen and ending with Calcium, is important in the planets’ surface chemistry. Thus Sulphur is the predecessor of Water in electron donor act where Sulphur can give out an electron even in the absence of ultraviolet light or sunlight. Water is split and Hydrogen is the donor by Ultraviolet light of the Sun, if rays are received well by the planet. Electron donor is the engine which kick starts the oxidation process for synthesis of organic compounds, through the help of chlorophyll in early conditions, which synthesizes the Carbohydrates , which happen to be the storehouse of energy. As the evolution begins to form more complex life forms, it needs mobility and firm infrastructure in their morphology, which utilizes Calcium and Phosphorous slowly. Thus we can see the evolution of biology from simple chemistry of light weight inorganic gases and elements gradually. In higher complex models, still the energy is required for each and every unit of living called cells which are accomplished by energy storehouse of carbon-di-oxide and ADP (Adenosine di phophate) and ATP (Adenosine tri phosphate), accomplishing the task of energy or electron donor and transferor like Water or Sulphur. Thus Martian History of life should conform to the above theories and ideas but with varying time frame from planet to planet. Anyway, the initial energy of Big Bang of the order of 10^19 GeV is exchanged for smaller coins of change in terms of energy currency till the last evolution of life beings followed by formation of Galaxies, Stars, Black Holes etc. The beauty of spectrum evolves indicating that Energy is the creator, sustainer and annihilator, but…Energy is always conserved and it can never be annihilated. Thank You.


Leave a Reply