Black hole, neutron star or something new? We discovered an object that defies explanation 
The brain is the most complicated object in the universe. This is the story of scientists’ quest to decode it – and read people’s minds 
Our survey of the sky is uncovering the secrets of how planets are born 
The brightest object in the universe is a black hole that eats a star a day 
Customizing mRNA is easy, and that's what makes it the next frontier for personalized medicine − a molecular biologist explains 
Orbital resonance − the striking gravitational dance done by planets with aligning orbits 
Six space missions to look forward to in 2024 
Tatahouine: 'Star Wars meteorite' sheds light on the early Solar System 
The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve 
Spacesuits need a major upgrade for the next phase of exploration 
Archeoastronomy uses the rare times and places of previous total solar eclipses to help us measure history 
The rising flood of space junk is a risk to us on Earth – and governments are on the hook 
Why now is the time to address humanity’s impact on the moon 
Why is the universe ripping itself apart? A new study of exploding stars shows dark energy may be more complicated than we thought 
What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here’s what the science says 
In the midst of conflicting opinions regarding what lies for humans on the Red Planet known as Mars, NASA is still set on probing the planet for signs of life forms. Even then, the space agency is determined to look under the surface for these signs.
As part of their three-phase plan into being able to colonize Mars in the future, Express reports that NASA is determined to look under the surface of the Red Planet for signs of living molecules. The discoveries made in recent years implied that Mars was once a thriving planet with similar conditions as Earth. However, four million years ago, according to scientists, Mars was struck by an asteroid, therefore wiping out the volcanic activity and evaporating the bodies of water that were once there.
However, scientists also think that the asteroid was only partly responsible for how the Red Planet is today. According to the space agency’s Chief Scientist Dr. James Garvin, a planet’s size would determine if it would continue to survive and thrive or die out. This is because the size of the planet would also determine how the atmosphere of the said planet would change over time. Dr. Garvin explained that Mars is a lot smaller than Earth, six times smaller to be exact, and its core is cooler than the Earth’s.
He went on to say that Mars eventually cooled faster, resulting in its volcanoes dying out and the atmosphere dissipating. With the conditions it is known to have today, it would seem impossible to find a water source, but it is possible that these would end up being hidden under the ground instead. Dr. Garvin said that if self-replicating molecules which would be proof of life, be found underground, then it would be the greatest discovery and would be one big step towards NASA’s three-phase Mars colonization plan.
Meanwhile, NASA previously explained how they will also search for life beyond Earth. The space agency is set to launch its next Mars rover in the summer of 2020 and is scheduled to land on the Red Planet come February 2021. The rover will then land inside the planet’s Jezero Crater, which spans 45 kilometers. The scientists believe that the Jezero Crater was once the place where a lake and river delta could be found.
The Mars rover will then scan the are for possible biosignatures, from observing the rocks on the planet in detail and making use of map geochemistry.
