Scientists discover evidence of ancient, nitrogen-rich Martian groundwater hiding in Antarctica

Pieces of Mars made their way across the solar system to Antarctica, where they were discovered in the 1980s. (Image: © Shutterstock)

Rafi Letzter writes for Live Science: Could life have swum in those waters billions of years ago?

A bit of 4-billion-year-old rock blasted off the Martian surface about 15 million years ago and eventually landed in Antarctica, where explorers found it in 1984. In the decades since, organic compounds found in that meteorite have been sources of controversy: Did they come from Mars, or did the meteorites get contaminated on Earth? Now, a team of Japanese researchers has reexamined the meteorites, and say they found traces of ancient oceans, rich in useful carbon and nitrogen — key ingredients for life.

The meteorite, known as Allan Hills 84001, after the location where it was first discovered, has long been known to contain organic materials…Read More