Researchers are testing a crushed stone sample collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover on Mars and have discovered the largest organic molecules ever found on Mars.
The study was published on March 24 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The discovery shows that prebiotical chemistry may have developed on Mars further than previously thought.
Scientists have studied a rock sample inside a small Mars sample analysis (SAM) lab of Curiosity and discovered decane, undecane and dodecane molecules.
These compounds are made up of 10, 11 and 12 carbon atoms, which are believed to be pieces of fatty acids stored in Martian models.
According to NASA, fatty acids are an important organic protein protein protein protein on Earth, which plays a role as a chemical component of life.
Curiosity's previous discoveries on Mars are small, simple organic molecules. The new discovery of larger compounds provides the first evidence that organic chemistry on Mars may have advanced to the level of complexity, reaching the level necessary for the potential formation of life on Mars, NASA said.
Curiosity is the largest and most advanced rover ever sent to Mars. The rover was launched by NASA from Earth on November 26, 2011 and landed on Mars on August 5, 2012.
