Abstract said:Establishing the presence and state of organic matter, including its possible biosignatures, in martian materials has been an elusive quest, despite limited reports of the existence of organic matter on Mars. We report the in situ detection of organic matter preserved in lacustrine mudstones at the base of the ~3.5-billion-year-old Murray formation at Pahrump Hills, Gale crater, by the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover. Diverse pyrolysis products, including thiophenic, aromatic, and aliphatic compounds released at high temperatures (500° to 820°C), were directly detected by evolved gas analysis. Thiophenes were also observed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Their presence suggests that sulfurization aided organic matter preservation. At least 50 nanomoles of organic carbon persists, probably as macromolecules containing 5% carbon as organic sulfur molecules.
Organic molecules are molecules that contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, as well as other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. These molecules are the building blocks of life and are essential for the functioning of all living organisms.
The organic molecules on Mars were discovered through various scientific techniques, such as mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, which were used to analyze samples of Martian rocks and soil. These techniques can detect the presence of organic compounds by identifying their unique chemical signatures.
The discovery of organic molecules on Mars is significant because it provides evidence that the planet may have once been habitable for microbial life. These molecules could have served as a source of energy for potential Martian organisms, and their presence suggests that the conditions for life may have existed on the planet in the past.
It is highly unlikely that the organic molecules found on Mars originated from Earth. The samples taken and analyzed were deep within the Martian surface, and their chemical composition does not match any known Earth contaminants. Additionally, the Mars rover used for collecting the samples was thoroughly sterilized before its mission to prevent contamination from Earth.
The discovery of organic molecules on Mars is a significant step in the search for extraterrestrial life. It provides evidence that the building blocks of life are present on another planet, increasing the likelihood that life may exist or have existed on Mars. However, further research and exploration are needed to determine the exact origins and potential for life on the Red Planet.