New Scientist Podcasts
Weekly: Life on Mars; biggest dark energy discovery in decades; the mystery of dark oxygen
Mar 21, 2025
Discover potential evidence of microbial life on Mars, uncovered by the Perseverance rover in the Jezero Crater. Explore the implications of a drastic shift in our understanding of dark energy, possibly indicating a future cosmic collapse. Dive into the mystery of dark oxygen, revealed to potentially sustain deep-sea ecosystems and hint at life beyond Earth. These groundbreaking findings challenge long-held beliefs and open new doors for scientific exploration.
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Quick takeaways
- Recent findings from Mars suggest microbial life may have existed, supported by markings resembling microbial activity found in water-related minerals.
- New research on dark energy indicates it might be weakening, potentially reversing longstanding beliefs about universal expansion and signaling a future 'big crunch'.
Deep dives
Potential Signs of Past Life on Mars
Recent findings from the Perseverance rover suggest intriguing clues about past life on Mars, particularly in the Jezero Crater, which was once a river delta and lake. The rover discovered markings on rocks, referred to as 'leopard spots' and 'poppy seeds', that resemble patterns associated with microbial activity on Earth. These markings were found alongside minerals that typically form in the presence of water, bolstering the possibility of ancient microbial life. Additionally, the samples collected by the rover may provide further insights once returned to Earth, offering a chance to analyze them with more advanced laboratory techniques.
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