THERE LIFE ON THE PLANET MARS

NASA space vehicle Curiosity has found nitrogen on the surface of Mars. This is a significant discovery adds to evidence that the Red Planet was once a place to live.

In its official statement, the US space agency, NASA said the drill rocks on Mars, Curiosity found evidence of nitrate, nitrogen-containing compounds that can be used by living things.

Previous Curiosity has found evidence of life support materials, such as liquid water and organic matter, ever existed at the site known as Gale Crater.

"Finding biochemical forms of nitrogen will increasingly add support how ancient Martian environment in Gale Crater could be habitable," said Jennifer Stern from NASA flight center in Greenbelt, Maryland in a statement.

Nitrogen is essential to all forms of life because it is a building block of DNA and RNA.

However, NASA warned, there is no evidence to suggest that nitrogen molecules are found by Curiosity generated by life on Mars.

"The surface of Mars inhospitable for known forms of life over the years."

The research team suspect that the nitrate has long existed and is likely to come from a meteorite impact, lightning and other non-biological processes.

On Earth and Mars, nitrogen is found in the form of nitrogen dioxide, two atoms are locked together so tightly that they do not readily react with other molecules.

Nitrogen atom must be separated so that they can participate in chemical reactions necessary for life.

"On Earth, certain organisms capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and the process is very important for metabolic activity," NASA said.

"However, little nitrogen atom can also be separated by the events which generate a large power like a bolt of lightning."

Curiosity is currently located at the foot of Mount Sharp, a mountain on Mars that has a height of 5,500 meters which is formed by a layer of sediment.

In December, Curiosity detects methane emissions are constantly near the surface of Mars, but the source is unknown.

Scientists do not expect Curiosity find aliens or life on Mars. But they use it to analyze soil and rock that has signs key element for life and who may have supported life in the past.

Curiosity vehicles valued at US $ 2.5 billion was also used to study the Martian environment to prepare for a manned mission in the years to come.

US President Barack Obama has pledged to send humans to Mars in 2030.

(Source: Daily Mail)