Astronomy and Planetary Science Thread

[Flyaway]

NASA Press Release:

NASA’s Curiosity Finds Organic Molecules Never Seen Before on Mars

Excerpt from the article (click the link to read the rest)

After years of lab work, the results are in: A rock that NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover drilled and analyzed in 2020 includes the most diverse collection of organic molecules ever found on the Red Planet. Of the 21 carbon-containing molecules identified in the sample, seven of them were detected for the first time on Mars.

Scientists have no way of knowing whether these organic molecules were created by biologic or geologic processes — either path is possible — but their discovery renewed confirmation that ancient Mars had the right chemistry to support life. What’s more, the molecules join a growing list of compounds known to be preserved in rocks even after billions of years of exposure on Mars to radiation, which can break down these molecules over time.

The findings are detailed in a new paper published Tuesday in Nature Communications.

Nature Communications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70656-0

 

[FighterJock]

Certainly is an interesting find Flyaway, perhaps that was what the Viking mission found back in the 1970s when they were operating on Mars.