Organics discovered on Mars by Curiosity could also be one other trace at historic life. In March 2025, the rover (pictured) analyzed a rock pattern with small quantities of decane, undecane, and dodecane — potential fragments of fatty acids. On Earth, fatty acids are produced largely by life, although they will additionally kind by way of geologic processes. New evaluation of potential non-biological sources discovered that they couldn’t fully explain the abundance of the compounds, leaving open the potential for residing origins. Picture credit score: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS.
The U.S. Home of Representatives has permitted a brand new NASA authorization invoice. Final week, the Home Science, House, and Know-how Committee unanimously approved a new NASA authorization bill that reemphasizes congressional dedication to U.S. management in house, particularly the Moon-to-Mars human exploration program.
The U.Ok. authorities has proposed a 30% funds lower to astronomy and physics analysis. Though the UK’s general funding for analysis and innovation has been elevated, funding for astronomy, particle, and nuclear physics has been targeted for reduction. The U.Ok. additionally not too long ago decreased its funding contribution to the European House Company by 11.2%.
Venus might need historic lava tubes. Although a long time outdated, information from NASA’s Magellan mission to Venus are nonetheless yielding new findings, together with what seems to be a vast underground tunnel carved by volcanic flows. Lava tubes like this have been discovered on the Moon and Mars, however just one has ever been discovered on Venus till now.
