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Curiosity rover finds largest carbon chains on Mars from 3.7-billion-year-old rock
- NASA's Curiosity rover discovered long carbon chains in a 3.7 billion-year-old rock sample on Mars, indicating potential evidence for ancient life.
- These molecules containing up to twelve carbon atoms may have originated from fatty acids, suggesting the possibility of past biological activity on Mars.
- The discovery was made by the SAM instrument onboard Curiosity, further hinting at the presence of ancient life on the Red Planet.
- Despite prior analyses, the hydrocarbon strings were accidentally found during a study looking for amino acids in a sample called Cumberland.
- The researchers' new method involving high-temperature pre-heating revealed the presence of these organic molecules in the Martian rock.
- Testing in a lab confirmed that the carbon chains could have derived from fatty acids, suggesting potential life-forming chemistry on Mars.
- The findings boost the possibility of ancient life on Mars and the importance of bringing Martian soil samples back to Earth for further analysis.
- The discovery of carbon chains and their origins as fatty acids signifies Curiosity's capability to detect and preserve ancient organic molecules on Mars.
- Researchers aim to continue studying Mars' geology to unravel the mysteries surrounding potential life on the planet.
- Efforts to bring Martian soil samples to Earth could provide definitive answers regarding the existence of life on Mars.
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