HOPES that life on Mars would have left a permanent record of its presence in
the planet’s sulphur isotopes are misplaced, say chemists in California.
Organisms preferentially collect the lighter sulphur-32 isotope, and the element
is abundant on Mars—which left some people wondering whether Martian life
left its mark in the isotopic record. However, chemists from the University of
California at San Diego have concluded that the unusual sulphur isotope ratios
found in Martian meteorites were caused by chemical reactions in the Red
Planet’s atmosphere (Nature, vol 404, p 50). Harry McSween of the
University of Tennessee in Knoxville says the findings “caution us not to fool
ourselves by too simplistic an interpretation of sulphur isotopes”.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Mind
THC in cannabis may reduce nightmares in people with PTSD
News
Environment
Fishers detonate a bomb every hour on one Indonesian coral reef
News
Environment
How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles