Curiosity Rover finds seven new organic molecules on Mars

3 articles · Updated · Earth.com · Apr 30

The compounds came from the 2020 Mary Anning 3 sample drilled on Mount Sharp, where Curiosity identified 21 carbon-containing molecules using its SAM laboratory.
New detections include a nitrogen heterocycle and benzothiophene, suggesting larger complex compounds may persist in clay-rich rocks despite billions of years of radiation exposure.
Scientists said the finding does not prove past life, but strengthens evidence that ancient Mars had water and suitable chemistry; similar instruments are planned for ESA's Rosalind Franklin and NASA's Dragonfly missions.

Could the newly discovered Martian molecules be remnants of ancient life, or do they point to a non-biological origin?

With Mars Sample Return canceled, how will scientists definitively determine if Mars' organics are linked to past life?