Big news from the Red Planet! Curiosity just found organic molecules that look like a ring of carbon atoms with nitrogen. They are nitrogen heterocycles, the literal 'bricks' for DNA and RNA. We’re talking about organic matter preserved for 3.5 billion years! While it doesn’t mean we’ve found Martians yet: geology can make these too: it proves the building blocks of life were there when Mars had water and an atmosphere. Imagine what else is hiding in the Gale Crater. It’s a massive step for astrobiology. We aren't saying it’s life, but the foundation for it is definitely etched into those Martian rocks. Absolutely mind-blowing stuff from JPL. This discovery changes the way we look at our neighboring planet forever. #science #space #exploration https://thoxt.com/l/1gwywg 🔗