Curiosity rover finds over 20 organic molecules on Mars
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · May 5
Curiosity rover finds over 20 organic molecules on Mars
7 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · May 5
The haul includes a nitrogen-bearing compound resembling DNA building-block chemistry, detected in Gale Crater's clay-rich Glen Torridon using Curiosity's SAM instrument and a TMAH chemical experiment.
Researchers say the molecules may have been preserved for 3.5 billion years, suggesting Mars could retain chemical signs of ancient habitability, though the test cannot show whether they came from life, geology or meteorites.
The study, led by Amy Williams and published in Nature Communications, strengthens the case for returning Martian samples to Earth and is shaping similar organic-detection experiments for Rosalind Franklin and Dragonfly.
After finding life's ingredients on Mars, why is the crucial mission to bring samples back to Earth now in jeopardy?
Mars holds the chemical ingredients for life. Will a new space race with China decide who uncovers its secrets first?
Detection of 21 Diverse Organic Molecules in 3.5-Billion-Year-Old Martian Sediments by Curiosity Rover
Overview
In 2020, the Curiosity rover drilled into 3.5-billion-year-old clay-rich sandstone at Gale Crater, revealing a diverse array of organic molecules, including nitrogen heterocycles and benzothiophene. These molecules were preserved for billions of years by the protective clay, shielding them from harsh radiation. Using a novel wet chemistry technique called TMAH, Curiosity broke down complex organics to detect these compounds. Scientists confirmed the method's reliability by applying it to the Murchison meteorite on Earth, which produced similar results. While these findings highlight Mars' ancient habitability and shared chemistry with early Earth and meteorites, the exact origin of the organics—biological or non-biological—remains unknown, driving the need for future missions and sample return efforts.