Researchers analyzing data from NASA's Perseverance rover have uncovered mounting evidence of a variety of organic molecules on Mars, hinting at the potential for past life on the planet, Reuters reports.
The rover's instrument called SHERLOC, designed for mapping and analyzing organic molecules, detected these compounds in rock samples from the floor of the Jezero crater, where an ancient lake once existed. The research, published in the journal Nature, emphasizes that the presence of organic molecules does not confirm the existence of life on Mars, as non-biological processes could also be responsible.
Astrobiologist Sunanda Sharma from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the lead author of the study, explained that while organic molecules are building blocks of life, they can also form through geological processes unrelated to life. The Jezero crater, located in Mars' northern hemisphere, was chosen as Perseverance's landing site due to its past water presence and potential for ancient microbial life. SHERLOC, assisted by the WATSON camera, detected organic signals in all ten locations it studied on the crater floor, mainly within igneous rocks of volcanic origin.
The specific compounds detected by SHERLOC are yet to be identified, but researchers speculate they may resemble benzene or naphthalene, which can be of both biotic and abiotic origins. While concentrations of organic molecules were generally low, their presence was observed in almost every rock sample. It remains uncertain whether inorganic sources, such as metals, might contribute to some of the signals indicating organic molecules.
The discovery builds upon previous indications of organic molecules on Mars, initially detected by the Curiosity rover in 2015. With the Perseverance rover's latest findings, the growing body of evidence suggests that organic molecules could be relatively common on Mars, albeit at low levels. However, the researchers exercise caution and stress the need to investigate abiotic mechanisms before concluding that any organic molecule is a sign of past life.
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