Scientists discover giant organic molecules on Mars as old as life on Earth

Mars' long organic molecules hint at ancient bioactivity, resembling Earth's early life system.

: Mars has shown signs of long organic molecules, raising questions about ancient biological processes. These molecules, dating back 3.7 billion years, align with the timeline of Earth's earliest life forms. Scientists used NASA's Curiosity rover's SAM lab equipped with sophisticated instruments to identify and study these molecules. Although not direct evidence of life, the findings indicate that conditions on Mars could have once supported life, similar to Earth.

In a groundbreaking discovery, long organic molecules have been detected on Mars by scientists, as reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The team identified carbon chains with up to twelve consecutive atoms, preserved on the Red Planet for 3.7 billion years, a timeline that matches with Earth's earliest-known life indicators. Mars, now barren, was possibly hospitable to life in its ancient past, presenting molecular formations resembling Earth’s fatty acids. Daniel Glavin from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center suggested the molecules could originate from geological processes, extraterrestrial delivery via meteorites, or ancient Martian biology.

The research team deployed the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) lab aboard the Curiosity rover to achieve this discovery. Curiosity's investigations have revealed details about Mars' ancient environment, particularly focusing on carbon, a fundamental life component. The gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer within SAM helped isolate and identify these molecules. French CNRS highlighted the molecules could reflect biological activities akin to terrestrial fatty acids, though it falls short of confirming life.

The discovery is a step forward in the search for life-supporting conditions on Mars. Further missions, like ESA's ExoMars slated for 2028, aim to expand our understanding of Mars' ancient composition and potential life-sustaining conditions. NASA’s ongoing rover missions, coupled with planned sample returns, may unveil more about Mars’ environment and its capacity to harbor life. These findings suggest that Earth-like biological chemistry might have been possible on Mars.

Preserved organic compounds found by Perseverance in 2023 further support the existence of life-favorable conditions once on Mars. Despite solid evidence of conditions viable for life, tangible signs of life remain elusive. Scientists continue to probe the planet's mysteries, questioning if life-forming chemistry ever materialized into more complex life structures, raising hopes for future explorations.

Researchers are also pioneering methods for detecting life signs, casting their sights beyond Mars to Saturn's moon Titan with the Dragonfly mission. CNRS confirms plans for similar instruments as SAM to be used in the Dragonfly, scheduled to explore Titan in the mid-2030s. Such advancements may hopefully chronicle extraterrestrial life existence or its tantalizing possibility in other celestial systems.

Sources: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, NASA, CNRS

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