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Summary

NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered the largest organic compounds ever detected on Mars in a 3.7-billion-year-old rock sample from Yellowknife Bay.

The compounds, including long-chain alkanes, could result from chemical reactions or remnants of ancient Martian life.

Scientists found hints of fatty acid patterns similar to those in terrestrial biochemistry, but no definitive evidence of life.

Researchers call it the best opportunity yet to identify potential life remnants on Mars, though further analysis requires returning the samples to Earth for isotope testing.

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long chain alkanes

P E T R O L E U M

Nothing says remnants of life like fatty acids reduced to hydrocarbon.

[-] cymbal_king@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago

Sounds like Mars needs some freedom

[-] Crashumbc@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago

US liberating Mars in 3 2 1 ...

[-] kayzeekayzee 7 points 4 days ago

Cool. Just gotta return the samples to earth. Should be easy

[-] SkyeStarfall 3 points 4 days ago

I believe it was always the plan to return samples, however, that is assuming the funding for it won't be cut, which unfortunately might end up being the case

[-] TheBat@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

Meh. Tell us when Mars has orgasmic compounds.

[-] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

I'm training, but still seem to be far away from escape velocity.

Maybe if we could catapult me at the point of climax?

[-] kevinrns@mstdn.social 4 points 4 days ago

@MicroWave

I hope its not Whole Foods, it would set NASA back ten years.

[-] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 3 points 4 days ago

Anyone want to translate this from science journalism to what actually happened?

[-] limer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 4 days ago

Maybe found fossils of cell membranes, maybe not

[-] mesamunefire@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Thats awesome!

[-] huquad@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 days ago

I looked at the picture. That's just a rock.

this post was submitted on 24 Mar 2025
140 points (100.0% liked)

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