NASA’s curiosity mars ruber I detected the The largest organic (carbon) molecule on the red planet. This discovery is one of the most important discoveries of finding evidence of past life in Mars. This is at least because relatively complex long chain carbon molecules are involved in biology on the planet. This molecule can actually be a fragment of fatty acids, for example in the film surrounding biological cells.
Scientists think that if life comes from Mars, it is probably microorganism in nature. Since microorganisms are too small, it is difficult to be decisive for potential evidence of life found in Mars. Such evidence requires too powerful scientific tools to put them in the rover.
Curiosity Rover near the site of Mont Mercou. Source: NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS
The organic molecules found by curiosity are composed of carbon atoms connected to long chains, and other elements are combined with hydrogen and oxygen. They came from Cumberland dubbed 3.7 billion rocks that Rover met at the estimated dry Lake bed of Mars Gale Craigt. Scientists Sample analysis on Mars (SAM) device For discovery on NASA Rover.
Scientists were actually looking for evidence of amino acids, a building block of protein, so we know the main components of life we know. But this unexpected discovery is almost interesting. Research has been published Procedures of the National Science Academy.
Among the molecules were 10 carbon atoms and 22 hydrogen atoms, Dodecans, 12 carbon and 26 hydrogen atoms. These are known as alkanes, which belong to the umbrella of compounds known as hydrocarbons.
It is an interesting time to find life in Mars. March this year scientists Evidence presented Function of another rock sampled by patience rover elsewhere in Mars. This feature of “Leopard Spot” and “Poppy Seed” can be produced by the action of the past microbial life. This result was announced at the US meeting and has not yet been published in a fellow review journal.
that Mars sample return Mission, a cooperation between NASA and European space, hopes that the rock samples collected and stored by patience can bring to Earth to study in the laboratory. Powerful tools available in the ground laboratory can finally check whether there is clear evidence of past life for Mars. But in 2023 Independent review committee He criticized the budget of Mars sample returns. This made me rethink the method of doing a mission. They are currently studying Two modified options.
Signs of life?
Cumberland was found in the Gale crater area. Yellow Knife Bay. This area contains suspicious rocks. It is formed when sedimentary water It is piled up on the bottom of the lake. One of the scientific goals of curiosity is to investigate the outlook that the past conditions for Mars were suitable for the development of life. So ancient lakes are perfect places to find them.
Mars Rock, known as a sampled Cumberland in this study. Credit: NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS
The researchers think that alkan molecules can once be a component of more complex fatty acid molecules. On earth, fatty acids are ingredients of fat and oil. For example, it is created through biological activity in the process of helping to form cell membranes. that Proposed The fatty acids of this rock sample have been around for several years, but the new papers describe the entire evidence in detail.
Fatty acids are long, linear hydrocarbon molecules having a carboxyl group (COOH) at one end, with methyl groups (CH3) on the other side, forming chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Fat molecules consist of two main ingredients: glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol is an alcohol molecule having three carbon atoms, five hydrogen and three hydrogen (chemically binding oxygen and hydrogen). Fatty acids can have 4-36 carbon atoms; But most of them have 12-18. The longest carbon chain in Combe Land is 12 atomic lengths.
Mars sample return will deliver Mars Rocks to Earth to study. The impression of this artist shows a vehicle that leaves Mars as a rock sample. NASA/JPL-CALTECH
Organic molecules preserved in ancient Mars rocks can provide a critical record of the past residence of Mars and can be a chemical bio signal (a signal that life is once there).
Sample It was analyzed Many times by SAM devices, other experimental techniques are used to use clay minerals First (smaller and simpler) organic molecule It was found in Mars in 2015. This includes a variety of chlorineization and sulfur -containing organic compounds in the gal crater sedimentary rock. The new discovery doubles the number of carbon atoms found in a single molecule of Mars.
Alkali molecules are important for finding biological characters of Mars, but the actual method is still unclear. It can also be derived through geological or other chemical mechanisms that do not contain fatty acids or life. These are known as non -biological sources. However, the fact that it exists in a sample exposed to a harsh environment for millions of years today is hoped that it will still detect the evidence of ancient life today.
The sample may contain longer chain organic molecules. It can also include more complex molecules that represent life rather than geological courses. Unfortunately, Sam is unable to detect this, so the next step is to deliver Hwaseong Cancer and soil to more competent laboratory on the planet. The Mars sample return will perform the samplo already collected by patience Mars Rover. What you need now is the budget.
Derek Ward-Thompson and Central Lancashire College of Astronomy at Central Lancashire University. This article was re -published in the conversation according to the Creative Commons license. Read Original article.
