The enigmatic Martian asteroid ALH84001, which has been thought by some scientists to contain proof of life on Mars, may prove to be less extraordinary given the results of a recent study involving distant stars. A team of scientists from the University of Amsterdam revealed today in the scientific journal Nature that carbon-based compounds like those inside the Martian asteroid have also been found in two faraway stellar nebulas. Until this discovery, it was thought that all carbonates required liquid-water environments to develop. Now, the carbonates in the meteorite may be inconclusive in proving that liquid water — and therefore a life-giving environment — existed on the Red Planet, say the scientists. The carbonates could likely have come from interstellar locales instead.