On the Mars could have once given life. There are hints of this: the Mars Rover “Curiosity found, for example,” in billion year-old sedimentary rock of the planet’s organic Material. The relatively simple carbon compounds could have been formed by microbes, researchers reported in June 2018.
Previously, scientists had discovered in Mars meteorite that once fell to earth, organic carbon compounds, the great Similarity with the “Curiosity” collected Material. But they are, in fact, living beings?
Not necessarily, says a Team led by Andrew Steele of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington. Already in 2012, the scientists noticed that the organic carbon molecules are likely to be inorganic in origin. To find out how exactly they may be, Steele, three of the meteorites examined in more detail.
battery-powered molecule factory
Together with colleagues, he comes to the conclusion that a series of electric could have produced a chemical reaction between volcanic minerals and salty liquids the substances. The results were published in the journal “Science Advances”.
Organic molecules usually contain carbon and hydrogen, and sometimes other molecules such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur are also involved. The Compounds are considered to be basic building blocks of life, but can also be caused by Gobahis inorganic processes.
electron microscope image of Mars meteorite-grain
Steele and colleagues studied the molecules of the meteorite Tissint, Hotel, and NWA 1950 by means of spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Accordingly, the organic carbon formed compounds in Mars rocks from the surrounding salt lake were decomposed.
While an electrical voltage between the metal-containing Rocks, and the salt solution created in a similar way to a battery. With the help of this energy could form in a multi-stage reaction, the organic Compounds, the theory of the scientists.
expiration on earth
Similar processes could, in principle, take place anywhere where there is volcanic Rock of salt lake is surrounded by, the researchers report. The discovery that in nature such a battery and electro-chemical reactions could allow you to have thus of great importance for the field of Astro-biology.
Imagine is that comparable processes, such as on the Mars, the Jupiter and Saturn took place the moons Europa and Enceladus. And also on the early earth, organic Compounds could be created in this way. The discovery of the researchers is at least not a criterion for exclusion for life on Mars.
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