I expect we will find carbon based life, but since we have such variety between life on Earth odds are the Martian life will be something completely new. I mean the odds of finding this was decent being on the edge of an ancient riverbed, but still finding it with one small rover suggests that it might not be that uncommon!

[–] dgriffith@aussie.zone 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Right now, conditions are not right for liquid water to exist on the surface of Mars. Atmospheric pressure is too low, water goes from ice directly to vapour with no liquid phase in between. "Life as we know it" requires liquid water as a medium. Possibly at the bottom of the deepest valleys on Mars or deep (like km) underneath the surface we might still find remnants of life.

What we will most likely find on Mars with our rovers is a history of life once existing. Life, from a billion years ago when it was warmer and wetter and plate tectonics still worked and essential chemicals weren't locked up in rocks.

[–] snooggums@midwest.social 2 points 3 months ago

Possibly at the bottom of the deepest valleys on Mars or deep (like km) underneath the surface we might still find remnants of life.

Or even a few yards under the surface! As long as it was able to evolve into something that breaks down minerals and can produce energy without sunlight it just needs enough moisture and an energy source to reproduce.