The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest non-glaciated place on Earth. In some areas, there has not been rain for hundreds of years. The landscape here is so inhospitable, red and lifeless, that scientists have called it the "Chilean Mars." Here, NASA and the European Space Agency test rovers, search for extreme life forms, and prepare for the conquest of the Red Planet. Let's understand why the Atacama is so similar to Mars and what we can learn about the Universe without leaving Earth.

Geographical Position and Uniqueness

The Atacama stretches for 1000 km along the Pacific coast of Chile, between the Andes and the Coastal Cordillera. The width of the desert is 100-150 km. Its uniqueness lies in its extreme aridity. In the city of Calama, the average annual rainfall is 5 mm, and in some parts of the desert (such as in the area of Yarqui), rainfall has not been recorded since humans began keeping records. The reason is the "double shadow effect": the Andes block moist air masses from the east (from the Amazon), and the Coastal Cordilleras from the west (from the Pacific Ocean). Moreover, the cold Peruvian current cools the air near the coast, preventing it from rising and forming clouds. As a result, the Atacama is drier than the Sahara Desert and even the dry valleys of Antarctica.

Landscape: Martian landscapes

Red-orange rocks, salt flats, dunes, dry riverbeds, volcanic cones — all this resembles panoramas captured by rovers. The Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna) is particularly famous, where erosion has created bizarre stone formations resembling lunar craters. The Salars de Atacama with its salt crust and lagoons inhabited by flamingos seems like an alien oasis. In some places, the soil contains minerals such as gypsum and hematite, which are also found on Mars. It is no wonder that directors choose the Atacama for space-themed films ("2001: A Space Odyssey," "Interstellar," the "Mars" series).

Climate and Life in Martian-like Conditions

During the day, the temperature rises to +40°C, and at night drops to -5°C. Ultraviolet radiation is high, the atmosphere is dry, and the soil contains high concentrations of toxic perchlorates (as on Mars). Despite this, life has found its way. Extremophile bacteria inhabit the salt crust and the voids of rock formations. Discoveries of these microorganisms inspire astrobiologists: if life can adapt to the conditions of the Atacama, then it could exist under the surface of Mars. In the 2020s, "microbial mats" were found in dry riverbeds capable of surviving due to hygroscopic salt that absorbs water from the atmosphere.

Research Stations and Experiments

It is precisely due to the Martian resemblance that several research stations are located in the Atacama. ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) — the most powerful radio telescope in the world — studies the cosmos, not Mars. However, the desert is used for ground testing of rovers. Thus, the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers were tested in the Atacama (for example, in 2019, a NASA team tested drilling equipment). The Europeans test life detection systems here. In addition, there is the "Mars Desert Research Station" project (although it is located in Utah, USA), but there is an equivalent station in the Yarqui area, where meteorites and Martian geology are studied.

What was Found in the Atacama: Key to Martian Past

In 2003, a unique place was discovered in the Atacama — the Yarqui Valley, where there are no signs of microbial life in some soils. This "sterile" zone is similar to Martian. Scientists have studied how organic molecules are preserved (or destroyed) under such conditions. It turned out that perchlorates break down organic matter under the action of ultraviolet light, explaining why rovers have difficulty finding signs of life on the Red Planet. Water was also found in salt domes: thin films of water are retained in salt crystals at temperatures below freezing. This suggests where to look for water on Mars.

Tourism on the "Chilean Mars"

The Atacama is a popular tourist destination. Thousands of people come to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama to see the El Tatio geysers (height 4300 m), the salt desert, hot springs, and the famous Valley of the Moon. Tourists are forbidden to leave the trails to avoid disrupting the fragile ecosystem, but astrophotographers come to take advantage of the world's best star-gazing conditions. Local guides proudly show the "Martian" landscapes and tell about scientific expeditions. In 2026, the "Martian Track" route was opened — a 50-kilometer hiking trail through the most photogenic places.

Atacama and Sustainable Development

Paradox: The Atacama is one of the driest places, but it is here that huge deposits of lithium (necessary for electric car batteries) and copper are located. Mining of useful minerals threatens the unique ecosystem. Moreover, in recent years, floods have occurred in the desert due to climate change (a phenomenon that scientists call "araucarization"). So, the "Chilean Mars" reminds us that Earth is also fragile and that the colonization of another planet should not lead to the destruction of its own.

Future of Research: Underground Rivers and Life

In 2025, an enormous system of underground rivers was discovered under the Atacama — the result of the melting of glaciers in the Andes. This has changed the understanding of the water balance of the desert. Astrobiologists now suggest that similar underground water bodies may exist on Mars, feeding possible microbial oases. In 2026, the "Atacama-Mars" project began: drilling wells up to 100 meters deep to study deep life. The results will help in choosing sites for future Martian missions.

The Atacama is a unique outdoor laboratory. Studying it, we understand not only the past of Mars but also the future of Earth under global warming. The desert where there is no rain teaches us to value water, look for life in the most desperate places, and prepare for interstellar travel. The "Chilean Mars" is both a warning and a hope at the same time.

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