Astrobiology
Ongoing coverage on Astrobiology.
Latest coverage
NASA's Curiosity Rover found promising organic chemicals on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover has detected over 20 organic molecules, including complex compounds like naphthalene and benzothiophene, preserved in 3.5-billion-year-old Martian sandstones. This discovery, made using a novel wet chemistry experiment, adds to the evidence that the foundational elements of life may have existed on ancient Mars and that organic material can survive for billions of years.
DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, bacteria that eat plastic waste, and more science news
Recent scientific findings include the discovery of DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, suggesting these molecules were widespread in the early solar system and potentially transported to Earth. Additionally, a consortium of bacteria has been identified that can collectively digest plastic additives, offering a potential solution for plastic pollution. The Hubble Space Telescope also captured a rare, early view of a comet breaking apart.