NASA's Curiosity rover has identified the largest organic compounds to date on Mars, a finding that could signify more advanced prebiotic chemistry than previously understood. The rover, exploring Mars since August 2012, analyzed a rock sample named "Cumberland" using the "SAM" laboratory.
The discovered molecules, including Decan, Undecan, and Dodecan, consist of ten, eleven, and twelve carbon atoms, respectively, and may be fragments of fatty acids. While these compounds don't confirm the existence of past or present life on Mars, as they can also form through geological processes, the discovery suggests the potential for more complex organic chemistry on the planet.
Researchers believe liquid water existed in the Gale Crater for millions of years, potentially allowing life to form. Future missions, including the proposed "Mars Sample Return," aim to further analyze Martian soil samples.