by Matt Rozsa | Jul 13, 2023 | Salon.com
A recent study published in the scientific journal Nature reveals the existence of organic compounds on Mars. The good news is this could indicate the existence of life — the bad news is that there are other possible explanations.
Organic compounds are molecules formed from carbon, although they often include other life-associated elements like phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, hydrogen and nitrogen....
Originally posted on salon.com
by Matt Rozsa | Jun 22, 2023 | Salon.com
At first glance, Enceladus doesn’t look like much — just a scuffed up, icy white ball that spins around the planet Saturn. Yet a recent study in the journal Nature revealed quite significant evidence for life on the distant moon. Using archival data from a past NASA mission, scientists analyzed a watery plume shot into space from Enceladus’ southern hemisphere, revealing traces of phosphorus....
Originally posted on salon.com
by Matt Rozsa | Mar 30, 2023 | Salon.com
NASA’s 2024 budget request includes a near-total reduction in funding for a highly anticipated Venus mission — and now, a number of prominent scientists are saying that the decision amounts to an effective cancellation of a highly anticapated mission to the second planet.
Yet not all space scientists and engineers agree with that assessment, saying that NASA budget critics are misusing the word “cancel.”...
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