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MSL Curiosity Found New Organic Chemicals On Mars, Proof That The Planet Can Preserve Ancient Biosignatures

MSL Curiosity Found New Organic Chemicals On Mars, Proof That The Planet Can Preserve Ancient Biosignatures
By Evan Gough (https://ift.tt/JRiPL8F)

Curiosity’s Mastcam captured this mosaic on Feb. 3, 2019, of a region on Mount Sharp with lots of clay-bearing rocks that formed when lakes and streams were present billions of years ago. The “Mary Anning 3” sample was found in this clay-enriched region. The rover's SAM analysis showed that Mars is capable of preserving ancient biosignatures. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

MSL Curiosity found 7 new organic molecules preserved in Martian sandstone. While they aren't proof that life existed on Mars, they are important. They show that the planet is capable of protecting ancient biosignatures from radiation and preserving them in rock.



April 23, 2026 at 12:09AM
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