Organic molecules found in a Mars meteorite that crash-landed on Earth are not signs of life, but instead formed in chemical reactions between water and rock on the Red Planet about 4 billion years ago.
To help solve this mystery, the researchers analyzed tiny minerals within the meteorite. They discovered that organic compounds in the meteorite were associated with serpentine-like minerals. Serpentine is a dark green mineral, sometimes mottled or spotted like a snake's skin, that is associated with once-wet environments.
These findings suggest the organic chemicals in ALH 84001 may have formed due to water-rock interactions similar to ones known to happen on. One process, called serpentinization, happens when iron- or magnesium-rich volcanic rocks chemically interact with circulating water, changing their mineral nature and producing hydrogen. The other interaction, called carbonation, involves rocks reacting with slightly acidic water containing dissolved carbon dioxide to form carbonate minerals.
The researchers suggested the organic compounds in ALH 84001 formed when volcanic rock interacted with briny fluids early in Mars' history. The findings may shed light not just on how well Mars could have supported or could still support life, but also on other destinations. All in all, this works suggests"how some important building blocks for life were produced on early Earth, and are being produced elsewhere in our solar system," such as Saturn's moon Enceladus, Steele said.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Organic molecules in an ancient Mars meteorite formed via geology, not alien lifeAnalysis of an ancient Martian meteorite reveals that organic molecules within it were formed by geologic processes rather than alien life.
Lire la suite »
Organic compounds on Mars were produced by water and rocks, not lifeMolecules containing carbon atoms, called organics, have been found all over Mars and could hypothetically have been formed by living organisms, but it seems they were not
Lire la suite »
Study: No sign of life in Mars meteoriteDuring Mars’ wet and early past, at least two impacts occurred near the rock, heating the planet’s surrounding surface, before a third impact bounced it off the red planet and into spac…
Lire la suite »
NASA's InSight Mars lander hunkering down in Red Planet dust stormThe agency said it hopes to take InSight out of safe mode next week.
Lire la suite »
Mysterious purple coating found on Mars rocksThe color pops up almost everywhere the Perseverance rover has looked—and could hold clues to the planet’s potential for ancient life.
Lire la suite »
Organic molecules in an ancient Mars meteorite formed via geology, not alien lifeAnalysis of an ancient Martian meteorite reveals that organic molecules within it were formed by geologic processes rather than alien life.
Lire la suite »