NASA’s Curiosity rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars, detecting small amounts of decane, undecane, and dodecane in a rock sample. These are the largest organic molecules found on the Red Planet to date. A new study published in Astrobiology suggests that these could be fragments of fatty acids preserved by ancient mudstone in the Gale Crater.
Scientists have long been searching for evidence of life on Mars, but the discovery of these complex organic molecules is a significant finding. While some researchers think they may be the result of non-biological processes, others believe they could be proof that living things once existed on Mars.
On Earth, fatty acids are formed from carbohydrates and other biological sources. However, there are also geological pathways that can create them. The discovery of these molecules in a Martian rock sample is intriguing, but more study is needed to understand their origin.
To recreate the conditions in the Gale Crater 80 million years ago, researchers used radiation experiments and mathematical modeling with Curiosity data. They estimated that the amount of organic material present before being destroyed by cosmic radiation was much higher than expected from non-biological processes. The team considered carbonaceous meteorites as a possible source, but found that they couldn’t fully explain the abundance of organic compounds.
While this discovery is significant, scientists caution that more study is needed to understand the breakdown of these molecules under Martian conditions. However, it’s an exciting finding that could inform future astrobiological studies on Mars and the analysis of returned samples.
The discovery highlights the importance of studying the Martian environment and searching for signs of life beyond our planet. As researchers continue to explore the Red Planet, they may uncover even more clues about its history and potential for supporting life.
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/non-biologic-processes-cant-fully-explain-the-organics-curiosity-found-on-mars-providing-more-potent