well the most likely theory is that a comet slammed into Mars when the planet was relatively more fertile with some kind of life-sustaining atmosphere. but very early on, very primitive life; microbes. the debris from the impact would have sent considerable material out into space in all directions. invariably some of it would have reached Earth and made it all the way to our turf. so technically we could all be Martians.
and we already know that very simple lifeforms (like microbes) can exist in - and survive - extremely harsh conditions that would otherwise obliterate the complex life systems we are familiar with on the surface. right now, at some of the deepest depths of the ocean, microbial life has found a foothold and actually become complex. they're just tubeworms, but the fact of their proliferation is incredible.
they are thriving under EXTREME pressure and temperatures.
they begin to grow near thermal vents where the water is utterly boiling. but just beyond the "breath" of the vents the water is freezing. and of course this is miles down where the pressure would instantly destroy the kind of life that is normal to us.
if microbes can survive (and thrive) in this environment, they can do so virtually anywhere. the only necessary ingredient is stability.
nothing else matters. well, aside from a source of energy like the sun (solar) which we used to think was the only source. but now we have observed life that has NEVER seen a moment of sunlight.
the external conditions just need to be stable long enough for life to become accustomed to it. and then BOOM, it takes off.
as long as there's some kind of energy nearby that life can use to metabolize, life can exist almost anywhere.
and we already know that very simple lifeforms (like microbes) can exist in - and survive - extremely harsh conditions that would otherwise obliterate the complex life systems we are familiar with on the surface. right now, at some of the deepest depths of the ocean, microbial life has found a foothold and actually become complex. they're just tubeworms, but the fact of their proliferation is incredible.
they are thriving under EXTREME pressure and temperatures.
they begin to grow near thermal vents where the water is utterly boiling. but just beyond the "breath" of the vents the water is freezing. and of course this is miles down where the pressure would instantly destroy the kind of life that is normal to us.
if microbes can survive (and thrive) in this environment, they can do so virtually anywhere. the only necessary ingredient is stability.
nothing else matters. well, aside from a source of energy like the sun (solar) which we used to think was the only source. but now we have observed life that has NEVER seen a moment of sunlight.
the external conditions just need to be stable long enough for life to become accustomed to it. and then BOOM, it takes off.
as long as there's some kind of energy nearby that life can use to metabolize, life can exist almost anywhere.
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