All articles tagged with #organic material
Studies suggest the ESA's Rosalind Franklin rover has increased chances of detecting preserved organic molecules at Oxia Planum on Mars, due to natural rockfalls exposing subsurface material and layered clay deposits that can preserve organic compounds, enhancing the mission's potential to find clues about ancient Martian life.
Scientists have detected ancient amino acids in dinosaur eggshell fossils, providing a rare opportunity to study organic remains from dinosaurs that lived 66 to 86 million years ago. The amino acids, found to be racemic, were preserved within the calcite mineral of the eggshells, offering insights into the biology of extinct organisms. This discovery may help researchers understand molecular changes in fossils over long periods of time and unlock secrets about ancient life through stable isotopes.
Scientists have discovered that formaldehyde on Mars may have played a crucial role in the creation of organic material necessary for life, potentially indicating that life once thrived on the planet during its early aqueous period. Research suggests that Mars, with its warm atmosphere and presence of certain gases, could have been conducive to the formation of biomolecules. The study also indicates the possibility of a steady source of crucial sugars on early Mars, particularly during certain historic periods, pointing to the potential existence and flourishing of life on the Red Planet.
Scientists have discovered that the disappearing "magic islands" on Saturn's moon Titan may be clumps of organic material, rather than fizzing gas bubbles as previously thought. These features, observed as moving bright spots on Titan's liquid bodies, are believed to be honeycomb-like glaciers made of organic material that fall onto the moon's surface. The upcoming Dragonfly mission aims to further investigate Titan's unique environments and potential habitability, as the moon contains organic chemicals essential to life on Earth and may harbor conditions conducive to life beyond our current understanding.
New research suggests that the mysterious "magic islands" on Saturn's moon Titan, which appear and disappear on its methane lakes, may be explained by floating chunks of frozen organic material. These islands behave similarly to pumice floating on water on Earth, staying afloat for a period before eventually sinking due to the seepage of methane. This study sheds light on the unusual phenomena observed on Titan, providing a familiar explanation for an unfamiliar planetary process.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe, which recently collected samples from the asteroid Bennu, has discovered strange organic material with a "cauliflower-like texture" and properties that make it cling to everything it touches. The initial findings reveal carbon and other organic compounds, suggesting remnants from the early solar system. However, the probe's contents have not been fully examined yet, as some leaked during the journey back to Earth. Scientists are eager to investigate the material further to understand its nature and potential connection to life on Earth.
A new study reveals that the dwarf planet Ceres, located near Mars, contains an extensive amount of organic material, suggesting it could sustain signs of extraterrestrial life. The discovery of organic compounds on Ceres, combined with its large water ice content, indicates that it may have the essential elements necessary for life. This finding highlights the significance of organic compounds in the search for extraterrestrial life, particularly as NASA's rovers continue to find evidence of life's building blocks on Mars. Further observations of Ceres could provide more insights into the potential for life on the dwarf planet.
Fruit flies are attracted to fruits, vegetables, and moist organic material, and while they can be considered beneficial in some cases by consuming decaying matter, they can also lead to fungal or bacterial infections and attract larger pests. To control fruit flies, consume ripened fruit immediately or store it in the fridge, locate and remove the source of the flies, and use a fruit fly trap with apple cider vinegar and dish soap.
Scientists have used ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry to analyze the organic material of two meteorites, identifying tens of thousands of molecular "puzzle pieces," including a larger amount of oxygen atoms than expected. By understanding the organic makeup of these meteorites, researchers can obtain information about where and when the rocks formed, and what they ran into on their journey through space. The team will next turn their attention to analyzing a few grams of lunar dust from the Apollo 12 and 14 missions to learn more about the moon's surface.