Organic Molecules on Mars

How important is this? Let us think it over.

An "organic" molecule is a molecule that contains carbon-hydrogen bonds. All earthly life depends on carbon-hydrogen bonds. The reverse is not true. Not all organic compounds are parts of organisms.

Still, think of this in Bayesian probability terms. Suppose you had yesterday some reasonable guestimate as to how likely it is that the planet Mars does or has ever harbored recognizable life. Today you learn a new fact. You learn for the first time that Mars has organic molecules.

It is pretty clear that your guesstimate of that probability will have to increase from its prior.

NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered organic molecules such as ammonia on Mars | Daily Mail Online

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