NASA's Curiosity Rover Discovers Largest Organic Molecules on Mars

NASA's Curiosity rover has detected the largest organic molecules ever found on Mars, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Credit: NASA

Researchers analysing rock samples aboard the rover identified decane, undecane, and dodecane. These molecules, composed of 10, 11, and 12 carbon atoms, are believed to be fragments of fatty acids preserved in the Martian rock.

Fatty acids are essential organic molecules on Earth, serving as chemical building blocks of life. The discovery suggests that prebiotic chemistry on Mars may have advanced further than previously observed.

Credit: NASA

Curiosity had previously detected smaller, simpler organic molecules. This new finding marks the first evidence that Martian organic chemistry may have progressed toward the complexity necessary for the potential origin of life.

Curiosity, the largest rover ever sent to Mars, was launched on 26 Nov., 2011, and landed on the planet on 5 Aug., 2012.

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• NASA's Curiosity rover found the largest organic molecules on Mars

• The molecules include decane, undecane, and dodecane, which may be fragments of fatty acids

• Fatty acids are key organic molecules that serve as building blocks of life

Source: CGTN