Atomic Oxygen Has Been Detected In Mars’ Atmosphere

Space





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The present is the key to the past. Vadim Sadovski/Shutterstock

As far as we know, we’re the only habitable planet in the Solar System. We have yet to discover life elsewhere, but Mars – even today – is a pretty good bet. It’s got salty, liquid water on its surface, and although its atmosphere is thin and insubstantial, microbial life could lurk within the sediments, where it’s shielded from incoming solar radiation.