Ep 8. Is There Life On Mars?

Is There Life On Mars? - NOVA season 36, episode 8

In "Is There Life on Mars?" NOVA takes you on a journey to explore the possibility of life on the red planet. The episode is hosted by astrophysicist and planetary scientist Dr. Amanda Hendrix who leads a team of experts as they explore the latest research and developments in the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars.

The show begins by taking us back in time to early Mars. We journey back to a time when the planet had a much thicker atmosphere, much more water, and possibly life. But what happened to Mars? How did it change from a wet, possibly habitable planet, to the barren desert we see today? The NOVA team investigates the various theories that suggest how Mars lost its water and atmosphere, including massive solar eruptions, asteroid impacts, and the planet's own peculiar gravitational anomalies.

The next part of the episode delves into the latest developments in the search for life on Mars. We hear from scientists involved in NASA's Mars missions, and we learn how the Mars rovers are working to explore the planet's surface and collect vital data. One of the most exciting aspects of the current mission is the search for signs of past or present microbial life. The NOVA team joins this effort, taking us on a fascinating journey to the Mars Yard, a facility where the Mars rovers are tested to simulate the planet's challenging terrain.

The episode also looks at other ways of detecting life on Mars. One innovative method involves hunting for trace gases in the atmosphere, such as methane. Methane is a byproduct of living organisms, and the team works with NASA scientists as they analyze data from the Curiosity rover, searching for this potentially crucial clue.

Finally, the episode explores the challenges of sending humans to Mars. We meet scientists and engineers working on the latest technology to make this possible, and we learn about recent breakthroughs in developing habitats and life support systems. However, with travel to Mars posing significant challenges, the episode highlights the risks involved in sending humans to the red planet, such as radiation exposure and low gravity.

Throughout the episode, we gain a greater understanding of the sheer scale and complexity of the search for life on Mars, and the technological advancements in space exploration driving this effort forward. We hear from leading experts who share their insights, hopes, and concerns about what we may eventually discover on the red planet.

With "Is There Life on Mars?" NOVA delivers another engaging, informative, and thought-provoking experience, inspiring us to think further about what it will take to uncover the secrets of this fascinating planet.