this post was submitted on 24 Mar 2025
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Nasa rover discovers largest organic compounds yet found on Mars (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 4 days ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world
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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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[–] kayzeekayzee@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 4 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 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