The “so what” is that we now know that the likelihood of life appearing throughout the universe is now ever so much greater. Great news.
The “so what” is that we now know that the likelihood of life appearing throughout the universe is now ever so much greater.Perhaps, but it also nullifies the claim that organic molecules like this are evidence for actual extraterrestrial life (a claim which was not widely accepted in the first place) as opposed to the potential for it. From the article:
Scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. performed laboratory experiments that explain the process by which these meteoritic hydrocarbons attract the extra hydrogen and oxygen. They are very similar to the molecules identified as evidence of alien microbes in an earlier Science paper (McKay et al 1996)....
“We now understand why these life-like carbon compounds are raining down on the Earth and other planets. Knowing this will help us search for life on other worlds by distinguishing these molecules from biomarkers,” said Bernstein.