Mars has always been the subject of science fiction because of the possibility of life being found there, and now a new discovery on the planet might fuel even more science fiction.In a report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists have revealed that NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Curiosity rover has detected three long-chain organic molecules in a rock sample - decane, undecane, and dodecane. The compounds have 10 to 12 carbon and are believed to be fatty acid fragments.
These fatty acids are part of forming cell membranes and biological functions.The molecules were taken from the rock sample nicknamed “Cumberland”, which was drilled by the rover from an area in Mars' Gale Crater called Yellowknife Bay back in May 2013.This is not the first discovery on Mars that hints at the possibility that the planet could have once been able to support life.
Back in August last year, seismic measurements from NASA's Mars InSight lander suggested that there is enough underground water in Mars to fill a global ocean that is one to two kilometers deep. The water is believed to be located 11 to 20 kilometers underneath Mars' crust.Scientists believe Mars was wet all over more than 3 billion years ago before its thinning atmosphere resulted in its water escaping out into space or seeping underground and remaining there.
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