Study: Martian Meteorites Contain Organic Molecules, But Not Evidence of Life

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A new study reveals that organic molecules found in meteorite Mars landing on Earth is not a sign of life, but rather formed in a chemical reaction between water and rock on the Red Planet about 4 billion years ago.

The findings could shed light on the origins of the building blocks of life on early Earth, the researchers added researcher. The scientists detailed their findings in the January 14 issue of the journal Science.

Organic molecules generally include any compound with carbon, and they may have oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements as well. Organic compounds are often associated with life, but they can arise due to abiotic or non-biological activities as well. Previous research detected many organic chemicals in the Red Planet’s rocks, as well as organic methane gas in the atmosphere Mars. However, the origins of these compounds have proved controversial.

In the new study, the researchers focused on the Allan Hills meteorite 84001, also known as ALH 84001. The rock was discovered at Allan Hills in Antarctica in 1984, and subsequent work revealed that a cosmic impact blasted it off the Red Planet about 17 million years ago; then fell to Earth about 13,000 years ago.

“ALH 84001 is one of the most studied rocks,” Andrew Steele, an astrobiologist and senior staff scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC, who led the new research, told Space.com. “Discovering something new in that meteorite opens the door to understanding observations made over the years is really cool.”

For years, scientists have debated how the organic chemicals in ALH 84001 are formed. Possible explanations include abiotic factors, such as volcanic activity or cosmic impacts, as well as ancient life on Mars or contamination from our planet after a meteorite fell to Earth.

To help solve this mystery, the researchers analyzed the tiny minerals inside the meteorite. They found that the organic compounds in the meteorites were related to minerals such as serpentine. Serpentine is a dark green mineral, sometimes mottled or mottled like snakeskin, associated with once-wet environments.

These findings suggest the organic chemicals in ALH 84001 may have formed due to water-rock interactions similar to those known to occur on Earth. One process, called serpentinization, occurs when volcanic rock rich in iron or magnesium chemically interacts with circulating water, changing its mineral properties and producing hydrogen. Another interaction, called carbonation, involves rock reacting with slightly acidic water containing dissolved carbon dioxide to form carbonate minerals.

Researchers say the organic compounds in ALH 84001 were formed when volcanic rock interacted with saline fluids early in the history of Mars. This finding may explain not only how well Mars could have supported or still can support life, but also in other destinations. “Taken together, this work shows how some of the building blocks essential for life were produced on early Earth, and produced elsewhere in our solar system, such as Saturn’s moon Enceladus,” Steele said.

The new research isn’t the first time the meteorite has caught the attention of scientists investigating the origins of life. There has been much controversy about whether ALH 84001 includes microbial fossils from Mars or not. Many studies now suggest abiotic factors may help explain these apparent fossils.

“I think this debate about meteorites polarized the community years ago, but I think a lot of that polarization has subsided over the years,” Steele said. “I hope this paper inspires debate again in a positive way.”

SPACE

Read:
The Peak of the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Can Be Observed Tomorrow Morning

Always update up-to-date information. Listen breaking news and selected news from Tempo.co on the Telegram channel “Tempo.co Update”. Click https://t.me/tempodotcoupdate to join. you need toinstall Telegram application first.

– .