NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  1. Special Note


    Ask an Astrobiologist has received more than 2500 questions about Nibiru and 2012, with more than 200 answers posted. Please read a summary of the answers that have already been posted, view a video on these topics, use the search feature and read the FAQ’s before submitting questions on these topics.

  1. Question

    What elements are needed to support life on Mars?

    If we are discussing the kind of life we know (which is all we can do, given our ignorance of possible other life forms), then the requirements are the same on Mars as on Earth -- primarily the so-called biogenic elements: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus. You can find more information by searching for previous questions that deal with "biogenic elements".

    David Morrison
    NAI Senior Scientist

    June 2, 2003