Organic molecules of unprecedented size discovered on Mars

Nasa rover discovers largest organic compounds yet found on Mars

Presence of long-chain alkanes in rock raises new questions about possible existence of life billions of years agoNasa’s Curiosity rover has found the largest organic compounds ever seen on Mars, raising tantalising questions about whether life emerged on the red planet billions of years ago.The compounds were detected in a 3.7bn-year-old rock sample collected in Yellowknife Bay, an ancient Martian lakebed that harboured all the necessary ingred…

Scientists Find Giant Organic Molecules on Mars as Old as Life on Earth

The longest organic molecules yet found on Mars are very similar to those produced by life on Earth.

Organic molecules of unprecedented size discovered on Mars

The longest organic molecules identified to date on Mars have recently been detected by scientists from the CNRS, together with their colleagues from France, the U.S., Mexico, and Spain. These long carbon chains, containing up to 12 consecutive carbon atoms, could exhibit features similar to the fatty acids produced on Earth by biological activity.

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Detects Largest Organic Molecules Found on Mars

The finding expands on the kinds of ancient molecules that can be preserved in the Martian surface.