NASA's Curiosity rover has identified more organic compounds as scientists investigate any potential ancient life signs on Mars. It was exploring the massive Gale Crater also believed to be a now-dry lake.
Researchers publishing in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday said the experiment also hinted at the presence of another organic compound bearing a structure similar to the precursors to DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms on our planet.
However the scientists also noted that the organic compounds — molecules primarily composed of carbon atoms bonded to other elements that form the structural basis of all life on Earth — could have formed through nonbiological processes.
Further evidence that Mars may have been a habitable planet billions of years ago Like the Earth and other planets in the solar system, Mars is thought to have formed around 4.5 billion years ago. Early in its history it was warmer and wetter than the cold, dry place it is today.
Both of NASA's Mars rovers , Curiosity and Perseverance, have identified organic materials on the planet .
The Curiosity rover had been exploring the vast Gale Crater, thought both to be caused by an impact from a meterorite and to be a now-dry lake. The abundance of clay present in the Glen Torridon area of the crater suggests water was once present there. The meteorite could have brought organic matter to the planet and the water could have provided suitable conditions for it to develop.
"To be clear, we have not found evidence for life with this study, but we're further refining the building-block molecules that were present on Mars," Williams said.
Building blocks of life preserved in rocks for billions of years Researchers estimated that the rock samples analyzed dated to at least 3.5 billion years ago. Curiosity, which landed on Mars in 2012, took the samples in question in 2020.
One molecule identified, benzothiophene, has also been found in meteorites and asteroids.
Williams said that another molecule identified containing nitrogen "is a precursor to how DNA is eventually built." Williams said it was ultimately not possible to tell if the organic matter came from "geologic processes, infall from meteorites, or life," but said the findings did suggest that "if complex organic matter from life were preserved on Mars, we should be able to detect it with current and upcoming rover instruments." Was there life on Mars? New clues spark hope To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Advertisement
