Follow-up research, based on data from the SAM laboratory in Gale Crater and a model of radiative decay over approximately 80 million years, suggests that the abiotic processes examined (including supply from meteorites) do not fully explain the abundance of organic matter measured, even if it is too early to conclude that this is evidence of life.
A new scientific investigation suggests that known non-biological processes may not be enough to explain the amount of organic matter discovered in a Martian rock sample collected by the Curiosity rover. Organic compounds are molecules built around carbon atoms. On Earth, carbon-based chemistry is the building block of life, although some organic molecules can also arise through non-living chemical reactions.
Curiosity, which has been exploring Gale Crater since 2012, has a compact chemical laboratory. This device heats up powdered rock that has been drilled and tests the gases that are released, allowing scientists to identify various molecules trapped inside.
The largest organic molecules found so far on Mars
In March 2025, researchers announced that they had detected small amounts of decane, undecane, and dodecane in a rock sample analyzed by Curiosity. These hydrocarbons, which contain only carbon and hydrogen, are the largest organic molecules ever detected on Mars.
Scientists believe these compounds may be fragments of fatty acids preserved in ancient mudstones in Gale Crater. Mudstones are formed from sediment that has been submerged in water, so the area may have been home to lakes billions of years ago. On Earth, fatty acids are essential components of cell membranes and are mostly made by living organisms, although certain geological processes can create similar molecules under the right conditions.
Examining non-biological sources such as meteorites
Curiosity's instruments can detect and measure molecules, but they can't determine whether life created those molecules. Because of this limitation, researchers have begun follow-up research to see if non-biological sources could explain the findings.
One possibility is that meteorites brought organic compounds to the Martian surface. Meteorites are known to contain carbon-rich materials, and Mars has been subject to frequent impacts throughout its history. The scientists considered the possibility that such external delivery, along with other abiotic chemical reactions, could explain the levels of organic compounds measured in the rock.
In a new paper, the team reports that the non-biological sources they analyzed cannot fully explain the observed abundance of organic matter. Based on these results, they say it is reasonable to consider the hypothesis that living organisms may have contributed to the production of the molecules.
Reconstructing 80 million years of radiation exposure
To better understand how much organic matter was originally there, the researchers combined laboratory radiation experiments with computer simulations and data from Curiosity. Mars doesn't have a dense atmosphere and global magnetic field like Earth, so its surface is exposed to cosmic radiation. Over long periods of time, this radiation can gradually break down complex molecules.
The team attempted to "turn back the clock" by about 80 million years, the estimated amount of time the rock was exposed to Mars. Using a model of the destruction of organic compounds by radiation over that time, they estimated how much material was present before the depletion occurred. Their calculations suggest that the original amount was probably much greater than what is known to be produced by standard non-biological processes.
More research is needed before conclusions about life
The researchers caution that further studies are needed to determine the rate of decay of organic molecules in Martian-like rock under Martian-like environmental conditions. Better laboratory simulations would help refine these estimates.
For now, the findings do not confirm that there was life on Mars in the past. But they do highlight that the chemical story preserved in Martian rocks may be more complex than previously understood, and explanations without life will not fully solve the mystery.
4 תגובות
It's all bullshit. They didn't reach the moon or Mars. It's all a lie. Organic blueprints were found in the big lie. How can you believe it, where is the common sense?
To my father –
The article is thought-provoking. It is possible that there was life on Mars that created a lot of molecules, and now there is less. And maybe the source of the molecules is… life on Earth? (That is also an organic source 😉
To the Mullah –
There are several theories about the material origin of life. Not every study tests all the theories.
This is not proof of life, it is proof that the beginning of life that was created here was there! Let's fight with all the scientists who haven't studied the history of the universe, it's already boring to even comment on the ongoing ignorance!
Good morning Elijah.
Soon you will discover that even you include in your DNA - the DNA of aliens.
And one more thing.
The speed of light is much higher than 300,000 kilometers per second, much more. Besides, light moves in waves and not in a straight line.
The method used to determine the speed of light is incorrect.
Interferometry cannot measure the speed of light.
Our science is chasing its tail.