Big step closer to proving life on Mars?

[Turn2]

After more than four decades of searching for organic molecules on the surface of Mars, scientists have conclusively found them in mudstones on the lower slopes of Mount Sharp. A variety of organic compounds were discovered by NASA's Curiosity rover, which heated the Martian rocks to 500° Celsius to release the chemicals.

The finding is significant—for life to have ever existed on Mars there would almost certainly need to be organic molecules to get it started; they're the basic building blocks of life as we know it. And if life did get started, it would have left organic molecules behind. However the confirmation of organics on Mars raises more questions than it answers. Based upon the information scientists have gleaned so far, they cannot determine whether these organics were produced by life, delivered to the surface of Mars by meteorites, or are the byproduct of geological processes on Mars.

https://arstechnica.com/science/201...e-found-intriguing-organic-molecules-on-mars/

 

[TykeClone]

Basically the same finding that the Viking missions had in the 70's - we see something that may be life, but it's not definitive

 

[Turn2]

We don't need to wait long for even more extensive searches.

In July 2020, the European Space Agency and Russia's Roscosmos will launch the ExoMars rover to Mars. That summer, NASA also plans to launch the Mars 2020 rover, which should be able to perform additional observations.

The ExoMars rover is particularly tantalizing to scientists because it will have both an instrument to detect organics like the SAM on Curiosity, as well as the capacity to go significantly deeper below the surface of Mars to get samples, perhaps as far as two meters. Although scientists are not sure, they suspect the organic molecules at this depth, if they were indeed produced by biological processes long ago, would stand a much better chance of being protected from radiation on the surface.

 

[pulse]

Space scientists have to continually announce things about possible life, otherwise nobody would pay attention or care and then they wouldn’t get any funding.

 

[3GenClone]

 

[BoxsterCy]

 

[Turn2]

Just came here to post this. So cool.

Finding organic compounds capable of producing life as we know it on another planet so relatively close to earth says that the universe is/was probably full of life.

I agree and feel it's just a matter of time before it's proven beyond a doubt. It's just too bad so much of ours is the low-grade variety.

 

[Turn2]

The blocks continue to stack up.

 

[JM4CY]

The blocks continue to stack up.

Pretty sure you’re actually an alien.

 

[NorthCyd]

I agree and feel it's just a matter of time before it's proven beyond a doubt. It's just too bad so much of ours is the low-grade variety.

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Boy, if you thought this in 2018 can you imagine what intelligent life thinks of our society now if they've been observing us for the last 4 years? We're definitely getting left out of the intergalactic club now.

 

[ISUTex]

People complain about Iowa winters. We need to go out and find a planet with a Mediterranean climate. Screw Mars.

 

[VeloClone]

Boy, if you thought this in 2018 can you imagine what intelligent life thinks of our society now if they've been observing us for the last 4 years? We're definitely getting left out of the intergalactic kegger now.

Fixed for Rip Torn.

 

[CloneIce]

People complain about Iowa winters. We need to go out and find a planet with a Mediterranean climate. Screw Mars.

I hear Venus is rather balmy this time of year. You’ll just have to deal with the runaway greenhouse gas effect and the generally hellish conditions.

 

[pulse]

@CloneIce I agree it’s dumb, but NASA scientists have told me this. It’s about funding and keeping people (and hence congressional purse strings) interested.

 

[NorthCyd]

@CloneIce I agree it’s dumb, but NASA scientists have told me this. It’s about funding and keeping people (and hence congressional purse strings) interested.

The fact you referred to them as "space scientists" in your op makes me question your sources and to what degree it is true, but regardless even if true it doesn't mean there isn't legitimate research being conducted in the field of astrobiology.

 

[ISUTex]

I hear Venus is rather balmy this time of year. You’ll just have to deal with the runaway greenhouse gas effect and the generally hellish conditions.

Yeah, Venus is too hot. Maybe I'll just move to California.

 

[ISUTex]

This is all great and stuff, but I'll start really caring once we figure out how to get humans into actual outer space without dying. That, and the whole warp speed thing. Until then.

 

[NorthCyd]

I hear Venus is rather balmy this time of year. You’ll just have to deal with the runaway greenhouse gas effect and the generally hellish conditions.

How is Uranus looking right now?

 

[pulse]

The fact you referred to them as "space scientists" in your op makes me question your sources and to what degree it is true, but regardless even if true it doesn't mean there isn't legitimate research being conducted in the field of astrobiology.

Well I can’t say what state of mind I was in that June 3 1/2 years ago when I wrote it, but choice of nouns used is really irrelevant. A generic term Space Scientist is an easier all encompassing description since I know people who do jet propulsion, astrophysics, and many other fields of study. If you want to just say Astronomy fine.

Regardless, as you said, everyone does great work as far as I’m concerned. I was just speaking as to why there are always articles about potential life.

 

[Turn2]

We've seen enough. Angry is calling it. The evidence is overwhelming.