NASA's Perseverance rover has detected organic molecules on Mars, a significant finding that may hint at past life on the planet. This discovery was announced on December 11, 2024, as part of the rover's ongoing mission to explore the Jezero Crater, which once housed an ancient lake.
The organic molecules were found in rock samples collected from the crater floor. Scientists believe these compounds, which contain carbon, could provide clues about the environmental conditions that existed on Mars billions of years ago.
This finding adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that Mars may have been habitable in its distant past. The presence of organic molecules does not confirm life but indicates that the building blocks of life were present.
Perseverance is equipped with advanced scientific instruments to analyze Martian soil and rock, and this discovery underscores the importance of the rover's mission in understanding the planet's geology and potential for past life.