Scientists who have studied the meteorite say it bears chemical markers that may be evidence of biological activity. However, other scientists said the markers are far from conclusive. Martian life forms may still exist NASA scientists doubt that anything is currently alive on Mars, but they're not dismissing the idea. Mars today is in an Ice Age. If the meteorite found in Antarctica is billions of years old, it dates from the earliest days of Mars, at the time the planet formed.
Scientists say it is probable that Mars was very hot in the beginning.
As it cooled, it is possible the very basic elements of life formed there. Davies said life forms that began on Mars billions of years ago may have taken cover deep below the Martian surface, and might even still be living there. The life forms could have gone underground as permafrost or may be contained in the planet's ice caps. Pathfinder, the next NASA mission to Mars, is scheduled for launch late this year but won't be able to dig deep enough to search for current or former life below the Martian surface. NASA says such a probe is at least 10 years away.