Could microbes endure just beneath the surface of Mars, in exposed layers of dusty ice? Scientists say such places are worth checking out.

Photosynthetic habitable zones' could exist beneath radiation-filtering ice on Mars, offering scientists another region in which to hunt for alien life.

"Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a protective ozone shield, so there is 30 percent more harmful ultraviolet radiation at the surface," said researcher Aditya Khuller.

Microbial alien life could be found inside ice on the surface of Mars, according to a new study. It is almost certainly impossible to live on the surface of Mars. It is hit by high levels of ultraviolet radiation that would be harmful to anything that tried to survive there.

While evidence for life on Mars has never been found, a new NASA study proposes that microbes could find a potential home beneath frozen water on the planet’s surface. Through computer modeling, the study’s authors have shown that the amount of sunlight that can shine through water ice would be enough for photosynthesis to occur in shallow pools of meltwater below the surface of that ice.

While actual evidence for life on Mars has never been found, a new NASA study proposes microbes could find a potential home beneath frozen water on the planet's surface.

Pockets of ice on Mars could shield living organisms from radiation that is lethal at the surface, while allowing through enough light to provide the energy to grow and reproduce, a team of astrobiologists claim.