Life on Mars

NASA's Curiosity Rover has discovered long carbon chains on Mars. On Earth, molecules like these are overwhelmingly produced by biological processes.

NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered the most complex organic molecules ever seen on Mars, the remains of fatty acids up to an incredible 12 carbon atoms long. The post Surprisingly big organic molecules on Mars: A hint of life? first appeared on EarthSky.

Mars became red before it lost its oceans, challenging previous assumptions about its geology

Using data gathered by China's Zhurong rover, planetary researchers have identified hidden layers of rock under the Martian surface that strongly suggest the presence of an ancient northern ocean.

By combining observations from space and experiments on Earth, scientists rethink the red planet's history and why it's red.

A new international study partially funded by NASA on how Mars got its iconic red color adds to evidence that Mars had a cool but wet and potentially

Are microorganisms clinging to the space station?

Light helps explains the evolution of our skin color, why some of us have curly hair, and the size of our eyes. And light still shapes us today.

Mars is located at the extreme limits of brine stability; and only a combination of the most favorable environmental conditions and lowest eutectic temperature salts allows for brines to be at least temporarily stable on the Martian surface.

Researchers believe dark rocks at the site of a future Mars rover landing mission may be left over from ancient volcanic eruptions, and may be protecting signs of life — if there ever was life on Mars.

The road ahead will be even more scientifically intriguing, and probably somewhat easier-going, now that the six-wheeler has completed its long climb to the

The Acidalia Planitia region of the Red Planet might have all the requirements for methane-burping bacteria to exist beneath the surface

Scientists might be looking for Martian life in the wrong place.

NASA's Perseverance rover has found an unusual striped 'zebra rock' on Mars unlike any rocks seen before. How did it form and how did it get there? The post A striped 'zebra rock' on Mars and a new Mars face first appeared on EarthSky.

Scientists found water reserves deep in Mars' crust using InSight data, suggesting potential for life—but challenging drilling depths.

An AI-powered weather model inspired by language-processing systems invented by Google is helping launch companies avoid disruptions to their busy schedules ...

Scientists are intrigued, but caution this does not necessarily mean life on Mars because organic molecules can have non-biological origins.

A Martian rock sample collected by Perseverance contains "chemical signatures and structures" that could've been formed by ancient microbial life from...

Seismic information now allows us to make a planet-wide estimate of impact rates.

Elon Musk's desire to colonize Mars is no secret. Apparently, he's hoping the next generations of Mars will be his offspring.