NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on mars

NASA’s Curiosity rover uncovers diverse organic molecules in ancient Martian rocks, including DNA-like compounds, hinting at a more biologically promising past. | Contesto: cronaca

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• NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on mars

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NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected a surprising variety of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds closely tied to the chemistry of life, scientists announced this week. The discovery, made in ancient clay-rich rocks that once held water, includes one standout molecule that resembles a building block of DNA. While the find does not constitute proof of past or present life on the Red Planet, it significantly raises the stakes for understanding Mars’ potential to have supported biology billions of years ago. The organic molecules were found preserved in sedimentary rocks within Gale Crater, a site that Curiosity has been exploring since its landing in 2012. These molecules, some of which may be as old as 3.5 billion years, were locked inside clay minerals that formed in a watery environment. The presence of such a diverse array of organic compounds suggests that Mars’ ancient environment was chemically complex and potentially habitable, even if life never emerged there. Among the most intriguing finds is a molecule that shares structural similarities with nucleic acids, the fundamental components of DNA and RNA. On Earth, these molecules are essential for storing and transmitting genetic information. The detection of a similar compound on Mars does not confirm that life existed, but it does indicate that some of the raw ingredients necessary for life were present on the planet’s surface during its early history. Scientists caution that these organic molecules could have formed through non-biological processes, such as volcanic activity, meteorite impacts, or chemical reactions in the Martian soil. However, the variety and preservation of the compounds argue for a more complex organic chemistry than previously observed. The findings add weight to the hypothesis that Mars once had a carbon cycle and environmental conditions conducive to the emergence of life. The Curiosity rover’s ongoing mission has steadily built a case for a once-wetter, more Earth-like Mars. Previous discoveries included evidence of ancient lake beds, river channels, and a variety of minerals that form only in the presence of water. The new organic detections deepen the mystery of...

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Categoria: cronaca