Organic compounds are molecules containing carbon and typically involve other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Previous research has identified several types of organic compounds on Mars, found within rock fragments from the planet, which broke off due to asteroid impacts and eventually fell to Earth. Some of these compounds were also found in the Gale Crater, explored by NASA’s Curiosity rover in 2012.
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According to Sunanda Sharma, the lead author of the study from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), these discoveries are intriguing for astrobiologists, as they are often considered key components for life formation.
However, Sharma emphasized that “it’s crucial to determine if they can be produced through non-biological processes.” Thus, investigating the existing organic molecules on the Red Planet and understanding their origins will be pivotal in deciphering their relevance to life on Mars.
In this recent study, Sharma and her colleagues analyzed data from Perseverance. In February 2021, the rover landed in the Jezero Crater, an area believed to have once hosted ancient life. The clay and mineral layers in this region contain components that can preserve organic compounds over time.
Specifically, the scientists examined data collected by a chemical-sensing device called SHERLOC. They focused on data from two areas known as Máaz and Séíah within the Jezero Crater. When SHERLOC used ultraviolet light to scan the organic compounds, they emitted light. The wavelength of this emitted light helped scientists accurately identify the compounds present.
Sharma and her team found traces of organic molecules in all 10 targets that Perseverance drilled into at Máaz and Séíah, with ages ranging from 2.3 to 2.6 billion years ago. This “indicates the possibility of life-building blocks being present on Mars’ surface for a considerable time and at multiple locations,” Sharma said.
The researchers also found evidence of multiple layers of organic molecules originating from various minerals and different formation mechanisms. These organic compounds are predominantly associated with water-related minerals.
To precisely identify these organic components, Sharma emphasized the need to bring samples back to Earth.
Details of this study were published on July 12th in the journal Nature.