3 Great Mysteries About Life on Mars

Mars is currently a dry and irradiated planet according to our robot friends, Perseverance and Curiosity. Evidence suggests that Mars was once a wet planet, however, there is substantial debate regarding Mars' origins and the life span of its long-lost bodies of water.

Some theory suggests that it might have been because of active volcanoes that melted the Martian permafrost, while others suggest that it was because of a cataclysmic asteroid impact.

• Scientists believe that as long as there is a consistent source of water, life forms will be able to flourish. However, Mars' surface has been exposed to damaging solar and cosmic radiation, so the chances of life ever forming are largely reduced.
• Unlike Earth, Mars did not have a relatively thick atmosphere nor did it have a strong magnetic field for it to end up like Earth.
• With the lack of a magnetic sheath to protect it from the solar wind, Mars' atmosphere has been stripped away.