NASA's Curiosity rover finds largest-ever organic compounds on Mars indicating possibility of life

NASA's Curiosity rover has made a significant discovery on Mars, uncovering the largest chunk of organic compounds found on the planet to date.

These compounds were detected during the rover's analysis of rock samples, advancing the search for signs of life on the Red Planet.

The discovery suggests that prebiotic chemistry on Mars may have progressed further than previously believed. The analysis identified alkanes—decane, undecane, and dodecane—saturated hydrocarbons made of carbon and hydrogen.

These compounds, commonly found in petroleum and used as fuels, offer further evidence of Mars' potential to support life.

These compounds are believed to be fatty acid particles that were preserved in the sample.

Fatty acids are among the organic components that form the chemical foundation of life on Earth.

While the origin of the molecules remains unverified, their discovery is exciting for Curiosity's science team for two key reasons.

The results, published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” raise the possibility that "biosignatures"—large organic molecules that can only be produced in the presence of life—could be preserved on Mars.

“Our study proves that, even today, by analyzing Mars samples, we could detect chemical signatures of past life, if it ever existed on Mars," said Caroline Freissinet, the lead study author.

In May 2013, Curiosity drilled the Cumberland sample from an area in Mars' Gale Crater called "Yellowknife Bay."

Scientists were captivated by Yellowknife Bay, which resembled an ancient lakebed, and sent the rover there before heading in the opposite direction.

Curiosity scientists had previously found small, simple organic molecules on Mars, but the discovery of these larger compounds marks the first evidence that organic chemistry on Mars may have progressed toward the complexity required for life to originate.

“There is evidence that liquid water existed in Gale Crater for millions of years, and probably much longer, which means there was enough time for life-forming chemistry to take place in these crater-lake environments on Mars,” said Daniel Glavin, a senior scientist.

The Curiosity rover continues its exploration of Mars' Gale Crater, focusing on the slopes of Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons).