Rover Perseverance found organic molecules on Mars: evidence of life in ancient history?

NASA's Perseverance rover, which explores the surface of Mars within the Jezero crater, has discovered intriguing traces that could indicate the existence of ancient forms of life on the Red Planet. Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have found sediments rich in organic molecules in rocks analyzed by instruments on the rover. This discovery comes after 1000 Martian days of studying this ancient river delta, which is believed to have contained conditions suitable for life billions of years ago.

One of the main results of this mission is the analysis of a rock nicknamed "Cheyava Falls," which was found along the northern bank of Neretva Vallis, an ancient, now-dry river that once flowed into the Jezero crater. Researchers identified sedimentary material interspersed with organic compounds, along with reddish hematite flecks, which could suggest the movement of water and a potential presence of microorganisms that utilized these chemical reactions as an energy source. According to a scientist from Caltech, Ken Farley, these traces are complex and extremely significant as they could be the first real indicators of the existence of life forms on Mars.

Organic compounds and water traces as key indicators

The SHERLOC instrument, which uses Raman and luminescence technology to detect organic substances, has revealed the presence of carbon compounds within the rock, along with iron and phosphate streaks. The presence of these elements suggests the existence of ancient conditions suitable for life, as they are the essential building blocks required for microbiological processes. Scientists have also discovered layers of sediment containing spots resembling leopard spots, which may result from chemical reactions used by ancient microorganisms for survival.

David Flannery, an astrobiologist at the University of Queensland, stated that the discovered traces are remarkably similar to those associated with fossil records of microbes that lived below the surface on Earth. "These spots are a huge surprise. On Earth, such characteristics in rocks are often associated with fossilized remains of microbes," Flannery said, emphasizing the importance of further analyzing these samples.

The investigation has only just begun: returning samples to Earth

Perseverance is part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission, valued at $2.7 billion, with the primary goal of searching for signs of ancient life on the Martian surface. So far, the rover has collected dozens of rock and soil samples that will eventually be returned to Earth for detailed analysis. The return of these samples will depend on collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the use of their Specialized Sample Return Module.

However, the sample return mission has faced significant delays and exceeded planned costs. The original plan was to launch the modules in 2026, but it is now anticipated that this will happen only in 2040, with costs rising to over $11 billion. In an effort to expedite the sample return process, NASA has opened a competition for private companies that could provide solutions for collecting and returning samples from the Jezero crater.

Still many unknowns

Although the first traces of organic material are very exciting, scientists are still unsure whether these compounds originated from ancient forms of life or are the result of non-biological processes. The very nature of Mars's environment complicates analysis, and there are many open questions about how rocks like "Cheyava Falls" formed and whether heating processes nearby contributed to their unique characteristics.

One thing is clear: the Jezero crater remains a key location for further exploration and the search for answers about the possible history of life on Mars. Instruments on the Perseverance rover will continue to scan and analyze rocks, while scientists around the world collect and interpret data to come closer to answering the question: has Mars ever been home to life?