A new study has restrained the possibilities of humans finding life on Mars. As per the study which was conducted by the researchers at the University of California San Diego, suggested that Mars' subsurface has very little to no proof of water. The results were derived after the researchers have studied the seismic data from NASA’s Mars InSight mission. The Mars InSight lander has been located on Elysium Planitia, a flat smooth surface close to the Martian equator. The InSight lander studies the subsurface of the Mars digging roughly 300 meters below the landing site.

HIGHLIGHTS
The Mars InSight lander was located on Elysium Planitia near the Martian equator
The seismic data had revealed that there would be negligible proof of water
Different minerals would have an effect on the seismic velocities in a certain way

The seismic data has disclosed that there would be negligible proof of water. Vashan Wright, co-author of the study has mentioned in a statement that “We realize that Mars' crust has been weak and porous. The sediments do not seem to be well-cemented. And there was no ice or not much ice filling the pore spaces.” Wright has even stated that these findings do not eliminate the thought of ice existing or contributing to different minerals.

Researchers have believed that water doesn't exist within the kind of liquid but it has been a part of the mineral structure. The study's co-author, Micheal Manga, from the University of California Berkeley, has explained that if water would make contact with rocks, it would produce a brand-new set of minerals like clay.

Addressing the observation, Michael has added that “There was some cement, but the rocks were not full of cement. Well, the lack of cemented sediments points towards an acute water inadequacy 300 metres below the landing site of InSight's probe spacecraft.”

Therefore, the Mars InSight mission was initiated in 2018 with the aim to study Mars' quakes. The instruments, on the lander would measure the vibrations on the surface of the Mars.

Wright and the team have studied these vibrations by utilizing the rock physics computer modelling to deduce which kind of minerals these vibrations travel through.

Different minerals would have an effect on the seismic velocities in a certain way. Simulations that the rock model ran had portrayed that the subsurface consisting of uncemented minerals. Scientists have believed that if life existed on Mars, it would be definitely on the subsurface since it would have a protective layer in order to keep the radiation out. Now, the researchers have been looking forward to a sample-return mission that would make it simple for them to study the surface in a better manner.

Also Read: NASA's InSight Lander Detects the Largest Marsquakes of 4.2 and 4.1 Magnitude