Found in a sample from Gale Crater’s Yellowknife Bay, these molecules suggest Mars once hosted conditions suitable for complex chemical evolution, possibly even life. Although the origin of the ...

While the presence of these molecules is not proof of ancient life on Mars, scientists say it shows we could detect chemical signatures of past life, if it ever existed. Scientists have announced ...

And scientists said the discovery is of 'high interest' in the search for potential signs of life. The samples were collected by the 'Sample Analysis at Mars' (SAM) – one of the instruments on ...

These molecules, discovered in a rock sample drilled in 2013, offer fresh insights into the potential of Mars to support life. The findings suggest that Mars might have hosted more advanced prebiotic ...

Chains of up to a dozen carbon atoms have been detected in what appears to have been an ancient lakebed on Mars, contributing to a growing library of compounds that could be a vital clue about the ...

The discovery suggests prebiotic chemistry may have advanced further on Mars than previously observed. The analysis revealed the presence of decane, undecane, and dodecane. Listen to Story These are ...

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The longest molecules ever found on Mars have been unearthed by NASA's Curiosity rover, and they could mean the planet is strewn with evidence for ancient life.

"The fact that fragile linear molecules are still present at Mars' surface 3.7 billion years after their formation allows us to make a new statement: If life ever appeared on Mars billions of ...

Sulfur is an important element for understanding the potential for life, both on Earth and beyond. Certain microorganisms on our planet depend on sulfur compounds as an energy source. The presence of ...

Humanity’s search for life on Mars has taken a significant step forward with the discovery of organic molecules that resemble key building blocks of life on Earth. Since landing in 2012, NASA’s ...

Most striking, though, was conclusive confirmation that Yellowknife Bay once hosted an ancient lake, further supporting the theory that Mars was once home to life of some kind. This graphic shows ...