Humanity has been interested in the possibility of extraterrestrial life for most of recorded history. However, it was only in the last few years wherein scientific strides in the field has been accomplished. At present, most of the focus in uncovering the truth behind aliens is placed on Mars. After all, the conditions in the Red planet are the closest there is to that one Earth.
At present, the multiple rovers, including Spirit and Opportunity, have yet to uncover substantial evidence that can definitively prove the existence of alien life. Nevertheless, recently the Spirit Rover uncovered an area that could possibly have been home to an ancient civilization.
According to a report published on Nature Communications, several areas on Mars resemble conditions on Earth specifically in the hot spring site of El Tatio in Chile. Steven Rudd and Jack Farmer from the Arizona State University and lead authors of the research explain that the nodular silica structures at El Tatio are vaguely similar to the conditions in Mars.
The condition in El Tatio, which includes the rare combination of low precipitation, high evaporation and high elevation rates, is better in fostering silica structures than several other geo-thermal sites like the Yellowstone Nation Park in the US. The scientists involved in the study conclude that the similarities could be taken as proof that silica structures did form in the Red Planet.
"Our results demonstrate that the more Mars-like conditions of El Tatio produce unique deposits, including biomediated silica structures, with characteristics that compare favorably with the Home Plate silica outcrops. The similarities raise the possibility that the Martian silica structures formed in a comparable manner" read a part of the paper as reported by Fox News.
Nevertheless, both Ruff and Farmer were quick to explain that more research is needed to solidify the claims of Mars being a host to living structures.