Mars May Have Experienced a Great Dying Event Similar to Earth's

Learn more about the Curiosity’s carbonate discovery on Mars, and what it tells of about Mars’ past and Earth’s future.

By Monica Cull
Apr 17, 2025 9:00 PMApr 17, 2025 8:54 PM
Curiosity Rover On Mars
Curiosity Mars Rover exploring the surface of red planet. Elements of this image furnished by NASA. (Image Credit: Paopano/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has reported “evidence of a carbon cycle on ancient Mars,” according to a recent press release. These new findings could help researchers better understand if and how Mars ever supported life.

As Curiosity continues to traverse the Gale Crater, researchers are working to better understand the Red Planet’s habitability and climate transitions that lead to the environment it has today. The findings have been published in the journal Science. 

Curiosity’s Latest Discovery 

Working with the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover team, Ben Tutolo, Ph.D., an associate professor with the Department of Earth, Energy and Environment in the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary, and the team analyzed data from three of Curiosity’s drill sites. 

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group