Scientists on NASA’s Curiosity rover team have found new organic molecules on Mars. The discovery of decane, undecane, and dodecane—long-chain compounds typically produced by life on Earth—offers intriguing clues about the planet’s past.

The long-chain organic molecules decane, undecane, and dodecane detected in a drilled rock sample.

Credit: NASA/Dan Gallagher

The rover drilled a rock sample named “Cumberland” in Gale Crater, a location believed to have once held water. When the sample was heated, it unexpectedly released the organic compounds, suggesting they may have come from longer fatty acids—a key component for life.

The drill hole in the ‘Cumberland’ rock target, where Curiosity collected the sample for analysis.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

On Earth, fatty acids help form cell membranes. Finding their potential chemical precursors on Mars suggests the planet may have once possessed the right conditions to support life. Although the source is uncertain—it could be non-biological—the find is a significant step in the search for extraterrestrial life.

While this discovery does not confirm past life on Mars, it strongly supports the idea that the planet might have hosted life or at least had the chemical ingredients for it to develop. The exact origin of these molecules remains a compelling mystery for scientists to solve.

This exciting finding raises hopes that future missions to Mars will reveal more about the planet’s ancient environment and potential habitability. Scientists are particularly eager to bring Martian rock and soil samples back to Earth for more detailed and conclusive analysis in advanced laboratories.