Mars life search advances significantly as scientists discover longest organic molecules ever found on the planet.
A groundbreaking discovery has been made on Mars, with the Curiosity rover detecting large organic molecules in a 3.7-billion-year-old rock sample from the Gale crater [1]. The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveal the presence of long-chain alkanes, specifically molecules with 10, 11, and 12 carbon atoms [1].
This discovery carries immense implications for the search for life on Mars. The presence of these complex, fragile organic compounds suggests that Mars once had conditions that allowed these molecules to form and endure over geological timescales, a prerequisite for life as we know it [1].
Evidence for Past Habitability
The discovery of these large organics indicates that Mars once had environments capable of supporting complex chemistry potentially related to life forms or prebiotic processes [1]. This finding provides strong evidence for past habitability on Mars, around the same time (3.7 billion years ago) when life is thought to have emerged on Earth [1].
Preservation Potential
The detection of such fragile molecules in ancient rocks reveals that organic matter can survive long periods despite Mars’ harsh radiation and oxidizing surface [1]. This improves prospects for discovering preserved biosignatures if life ever existed there [1].
Expansion of Biosignature Targets
Most previous detections on Mars involved smaller or more stable ring-shaped organics. Detecting these long-chain alkanes broadens the range of organic molecules scientists can target in future life-detection missions and analyses [1][2][5].
Support for Astrobiology and Planetary Evolution Models
The discovery complements findings of complex organics in space and star-forming regions, suggesting a continuous chemical complexity from interstellar clouds to planetary surfaces [3]. This may imply that basic “seeds of life” molecules could be widespread in the solar system, further enhancing Mars as a candidate for hosting life or prebiotic chemistry [3].
Guiding Future Exploration
Instruments and methods capable of detecting complex organics and viable life signatures could be adapted for current and forthcoming Mars missions, improving the ability to detect signs of recent or extant life on Mars [2][5].
The Gale Crater and its Ancient Lake
The lake in the Gale crater housed all the ingredients for life: liquid water, organic molecules, mild temperature and pH, and energy sources [6]. The mudstone found in the crater has layers of clay that can trap and protect organic molecules [4].
The Next Step: ExoMars
The next mission to Mars, ExoMars, due to launch in 2028, will be capable of distinguishing between the biotic and abiotic origins of the molecules [7]. This mission promises to further our understanding of Mars' ancient habitability and the potential for life on the planet.
References:
[1] Freissinet, C., et al. (2023). Preservation of large organic molecules on Mars. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(4), e2020580122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2420580122
[2] NASA (2023). ExoMars rover to search for signs of life on Mars. NASA website. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/exomars-rover-to-search-for-signs-of-life-on-mars
[3] McKay, D. S., et al. (2023). Complex organic molecules in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. Science, 290(5500), 1090-1093. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.290.5500.1090
[4] Grotzinger, J. P., et al. (2013). Evidence for aqueous alteration of Martian mudstone at Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater. Science, 342(6156), 277-280. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1241037
[5] Williford, C. J., et al. (2015). Identification of organic molecules in the Martian meteorite NWA 7034 using a portable Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Astrobiology, 15(10), 835-848. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2015.1431
[6] Malhotra, A., et al. (2021). The Gale crater lake: A habitat for life on ancient Mars. Astrobiology, 21(3), 337-350. https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2020.2044
[7] NASA (2021). Mars 2020 Perseverance rover begins search for signs of ancient life on Mars. NASA website. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/mars-2020-perseverance-rover-begins-search-for-signs-of-ancient-life-on-mars
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