Growing evidence of ancient organic compounds on Mars

[ack]

Ground breaking discoveries, and that does further imply potential for ancient life forms.

https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-confirms-seasonal-variation-mars-methane-emissions

[FONT=&amp]For years, NASA's Curiosity rover [/FONT]has patiently gathered samples[FONT=&amp] on the surface of Mars. Today, scientists are announcing they've discovered conclusive evidence that several organic compounds are indeed found on the Red Planet.[/FONT]

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[/FONT]https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/scienc...-astrobiology-ncna880786?cid=eml_nbn_20180607[FONT=&amp]
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New discoveries by NASA's Mars rover Curiosity add to a growing body of evidence supporting the idea that microscopic organisms might once have lived on the red planet — and have some scientists considering the possibility that microbial life might live there still.As described in a pair of scientific papers published Thursday in the journal Science, Curiosity detected a range of carbon-containing compounds in ancient sediments on Mars and shifting levels of the organic molecule methane in the Martian atmosphere.

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-finds-ancient-organic-material-mysterious-methane-on-mars

[FONT=&amp]NASA’s Curiosity rover has found new evidence preserved in rocks on Mars that suggests the planet could have supported ancient life, as well as new evidence in the Martian atmosphere that relates to the search for current life on the Red Planet. While not necessarily evidence of life itself, these findings are a good sign for future missions exploring the planet’s surface and subsurface.

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[FONT=&amp]The new findings – “tough” organic molecules in three-billion-year-old sedimentary rocks near the surface, as well as seasonal variations in the levels of methane in the atmosphere – appear in the June 8 edition of the journal Science.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Organic molecules contain carbon and hydrogen, and also may include oxygen, nitrogen and other elements. While commonly associated with life, organic molecules also can be created by non-biological processes and are not necessarily indicators of life. [/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]“With these new findings, Mars is telling us to stay the course and keep searching for evidence of life,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, in Washington. “I’m confident that our ongoing and planned missions will unlock even more breathtaking discoveries on the Red Planet.”[/FONT]

 

[Al M.]

Ground breaking discoveries, and that does further imply potential for ancient life forms.

https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-confirms-seasonal-variation-mars-methane-emissions
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[/FONT]https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/scienc...-astrobiology-ncna880786?cid=eml_nbn_20180607[FONT=&amp]
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https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-finds-ancient-organic-material-mysterious-methane-on-mars

Thanks for posting. The ubiquitousness of organic compounds does not surprise me. I have studied the issue quite extensively and describe it in my review article on the origin of life, published on the evolution website Talkorigins.org:

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/abioprob/originoflife.html

As the researchers say, the presence of organic compounds and of life are two different things. Yet I expect the universe to be teeming with life, at least with microbial life which does not need to be sheltered that much. If they find microbial life on Mars I will be tremendously excited -- can you imagine we can analyze another type of DNA/DNA analog? -- but not overly surprised.

I do have high hopes for life on the Jupiter moon Europa or the Saturn moon Enceladus.

 

[ack]

I read part of your paper, worth reading it all when I get a chance! Nicely done Al!

 

[Al M.]

Thanks Ack. It is not up to date with the newest findings, but it should still give you a reasonably good idea. Originally I had planned to update it regularly but then other interests got in the way

 

[NorthStar]

Life on Mars? Rover’s Latest Discovery Puts It ‘On the Table’ | NASA

Sorry Ack, I only realised that you started a thread on this fascinating new discovery before I started one after.

• http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...-Table%92-NASA&p=515251&viewfull=1#post515251

And Al, I didn't know you that you studied extensively and wrote a review/article on the origin of life. I will certainly/definitely read it.
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° https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/science/mars-nasa-life.html