Scientists may finally have a way to detect ancient life on Mars by studying microbial fossils preserved in sulfate minerals.

Researchers have developed a promising technique to identify potential microbial fossils on Mars. Sulfate minerals like gypsum, abundant on the Martian surface, may hold clues to ancient life.

A rock on Mars spilled a surprising yellow treasure after Curiosity accidentally cracked through its unremarkable exterior.

If Mars ever hosted microorganisms in its bygone oceans, their fossils might still be preserved in minerals—and now, we have ...

The intriguing chemistry of a rock collected by the Perseverance rover could trace to microbial activity—or not ...

Scientists found fossil-like traces in gypsum, suggesting ancient microbial life may have existed on Mars billions of years ...

The intriguing chemistry of a rock collected by the Perseverance rover could trace to microbial activity — or not.

When the water evaporates, the minerals mix and dry out, leaving the sulfates behind. These sulfate minerals can tell us a lot about Mars, such as its water history, and how it has weathered over ...

Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist) A laser-powered mass spectrometer has been shown to detect microbial fossils in gypsum, a mineral analogous to Martian sulfate rocks. This method could guide ...

Scientists recently tested it on Earth by examining gypsum deposits in Algeria, which are similar to Martian sulfate minerals. The result? Fossilized microbial filaments, along with biosignatures ...

Nuclear pulse propulsion is a technology that would work. It was being developed in the 1960s. It was stopped because of the nuclear test ban treaty and ...

“Our findings provide a methodological framework for detecting biosignatures in Martian sulfate minerals, potentially guiding future Mars exploration missions,” said Youcef Sellam, PhD student ...