Why We Have Never Found Life on Mars? NASA Might Have the Answer

While Earth continues to bloom with life, its dusty neighbour remains silent. Scientists have long wondered why Mars—once shaped by rivers and lakes—is now dry and deserted. A new clue may finally help piece together the puzzle.

Mars Once Had Water, But Only Briefly
NASA’s Curiosity rover has found rocks rich in carbonate minerals. These minerals are like Earth’s limestone and act as sponges, pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it into stone. Their presence on Mars suggests the planet may have once had the right conditions for water to briefly flow.

Researchers used this new data to model the climate history of Mars. The study, published in Nature, showed that these watery spells were rare and short-lived. According to lead author Edwin Kite, most of Mars was likely cold and dry, with only rare “blips of habitability” scattered across the surface.

On Earth, volcanic eruptions release carbon dioxide, balancing the climate and supporting liquid water. But Mars lacks strong volcanic activity. With no steady outgassing, its climate cycle never stabilised, leading to long, frozen periods. Even when rivers did flow, they were likely followed by 100 million years of lifeless desert.