Scientists can for the first time with certainty that finding organic molecules on Mars. Organic molecules are the building blocks of life on earth, but not yet prove that life on Mars is or was.
Researchers found the organic molecules in samples collected in the Mars Rover Curiosity Gale Crater. Previous research has already shown that the Gale crater once contained a lake. Curiosity drilled in rocks that were formed when the crater was filled with water and the organic molecules found in these rocks.
Evidence for life?
Organic molecules are the building blocks for life as it occurs here on earth. Under organic molecules are molecules which consist primarily of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They are the building blocks of life as it appears here on earth. The molecules now also appear to occur on Mars. But that is certainly no evidence of life on the red planet. The researchers emphasize that organic molecules can also be achieved by chemical reactions in which life has no role. For example, the molecules may be by interplanetary dust or comets landed on Mars.
Conditions
Yet it is an interesting find. The fact proves that Mars has one of the ingredients of life. Another – equally important – ingredient consists of the right conditions. At present, Mars not suitable for life as we know it. But there is evidence that it was different in the past. Billions of years ago, the temperature on the red planet would have been a lot more enjoyable and should even lakes and rivers have been found on the surface. “We believe that life on Earth began about 3.8 billion years ago and our results show that places like Mars at that time was in the same conditions: there was liquid water, a comfortable temperature and organic material,” says researcher Caroline Freissinet. “So if life arose on Earth, under these circumstances, why would that be not happened on Mars?”
The organic molecules by Curiosity on Mars have been found also contain chlorine atoms. Among the molecules are, inter alia, chlorobenzene, dichloroethane and dichloropropane. Chlorobenzene is most abundant with concentrations between 150 and 300 parts per billion. Chlorobenzene is naturally not on earth, but it is used for example to make paint and pesticides. Dichloropropane we find on Earth in paint strippers and is considered carcinogenic. It is possible that prevent these chlorine-containing organic molecules effective in the rocks on Mars, but according to the researchers is more likely that in the rocks other organic molecules were seated and that the chlorine formed by reactions in Curiosity itself when the collected samples for examination were reheated. Carbon – found in the organic molecules – the researchers know very probably a Martian origin
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