Fresh Discovery: NASA’s Rover Finds More Organic Molecules on Mars
Exciting new findings from NASA’s Perseverance rover provide fresh evidence of organic molecules on Mars, potentially pointing to signs of past or present life on the planet. The rover’s instrument called SHERLOC has conducted detailed mapping and analysis of organic molecules, revealing their presence in rocks at Jezero crater, which was once home to a long-gone ancient lake.
SHERLOC, mounted on Perseverance’s robotic arm, has identified organic molecules in multiple rock samples from 10 different locations. While this discovery is not conclusive evidence of life on Mars, it does suggest the possibility of non-biological processes responsible for the formation of these molecules.
Astrobiologist Sunanda Sharma of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature this week, explained, Organics are the molecular building blocks of life as we know it, but can also be formed from geological processes not directly related to life. We see multiple signals that appear to vary across the formations of the crater floor and in the minerals they are associated with.
Perseverance landed in Jezero crater in February 2021 on a mission to search for signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for potential return to Earth. This area in the planet’s northern hemisphere was once filled with water, making it a promising location to investigate.
Scientists believe that billions of years ago, microbial life could have existed in this crater when river channels overflowed and formed a lake. The presence of organic molecules discovered by SHERLOC at all 10 locations studied indicates that these rocks, which were formed through volcanic processes, contain evidence worth exploring further.
SHERLOC uses cameras, a laser, and spectrometers to analyze light wavelengths, seeking organic molecules that may indicate past microbial life. Assisted by the color camera named WATSON, SHERLOC has produced images of rock grains and surface textures.
Although the specific organic compounds detected by SHERLOC are still unknown, researchers have some clues. Ryan Roppel, a chemistry graduate student from the University of Pittsburgh and co-author of the study, suggested that the chemical signatures could be similar to compounds found in crude oil, such as benzene or naphthalene. However, further investigation is necessary to confirm their origin.
It is worth noting that signals of organic molecules were initially detected on Mars by the Curiosity rover in 2015, followed by subsequent evidence. With Perseverance also detecting these molecules, the accumulation of evidence suggests that organic molecules may be relatively common on Mars, albeit in low concentrations.
Despite these compelling findings, the researchers remain cautious. Roppel emphasized that there are both biological and non-biological mechanisms that can account for the presence of organic molecules. Abiotic factors like interplanetary dust, meteorites, or water-rock interactions can create organics, while ancient life remains a possibility.
Roppel stated, We need to rule out all abiotic mechanisms before we jump to the conclusion that any organic molecule is a sign of life.
This latest discovery adds to the growing body of knowledge about Mars and its potential for harboring signs of life. NASA’s ongoing exploration continues to unravel the mysteries of our neighboring planet, bringing us closer to understanding our place in the universe.
As scientists analyze the wealth of data gathered by Perseverance, we eagerly await further revelations about the possibility of life beyond Earth. Exciting times lie ahead as humanity ventures further into the unknown, expanding our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.
