Compelling evidence emerges for organic chemicals on the Red Planet

Nasa’s Curiosity rover has discovered conclusive proof of organic molecules in ancient Martian rocks.¹ The findings add to evidence that the crater the rover landed in was once a lake and offer the tantalising possibility that it could even have supported life billions of years ago.

Organic compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids, are integral to life. However, many organic molecules are produced abiotically leading scientists to long suspect that they would be found on Mars. Previous missions, including Viking in the 1970s, surprised scientists, however, when no trace of these compounds was found.