Life on Marsis a definite possibility after the Mars Curiosity rover finds key ingredients to life (Image: GETTY)
A new study has revealed asteroid impacts on ancient Mars could have produced ingredients for life if Mars’ atmosphere was rich in hydrogen. Researchers on Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument said a hydrogen-rich atmosphere would explain how the planet was habitable. The ingredients are nitrites (NO2) and nitrates (NO3).
Both nitrates are important to establish and sustain life.
The rover discovered both ingredients in soil and rock samples within the Gale Crater which is the site of ancient lakes on Mars.
Researchers recreated the early Martian atmosphere to understand how fixed nitrogen may have been deposited in the crater.
They found that the Red Planet may have been warmer in the past.
READ MORE: NASA