Discovery of Novel Organic Molecules by Curiosity

In almost ten years on Mars, the Round Curiosity has not yet ended the surprise. A study published in Natural astronomy 1^{There is} November reports the results of analyzes carried out on samples taken by Rover in 2017. During the sampling process, the rocks of Mars will be stored in a container containing the liquid for carrying out experiments labeled in English. Wet test (I.e.: “wet test”). The Chemical reaction The stimulus was able to observe the presence of organic molecules in the samples.

Two new types of organic molecules

Curiosity, who came to Gale Greater in August 2012, immediately set out nine years ago in search of traces of a past life. Perseverance And Jurong. Through chemical studies, Body And geography, Rover’s mission is to locate these life signatures. In 2018, From Sedimentary rocks Stored in the tool taken from the abyss Sample analysis on Mars (SAM) for analyzing their compounds. Some rocks thus contained many molecules Carbon, Sulfide, benzene or theophylline. This discovery aroused the interest of the scientific community, pointing to possible survival signatures.

In 2017, Curiosity experienced a breakdown during the direct debit process. Sand In the Pacnold Hills. So the engineers deliberately placed the samples in tubes containing a liquid agent called N-methyl-N- (trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamid, the latter allowing for chemical analysis when mixed with other chemical components. Researchers do not have a biographical signature NASA, But the invention of ammonia andAcid Benzoic. The latter, derived from benzene, is present in some plants on earth Cranberry Or cocoa tree. Ammonia is commonly observed Gas, Emerges from the Earth’s crust and other sources Fermentation Bacteria or some Hydrocarbons Etc. Oil And this Coal.

If these molecules were not a definitive sign of life on Mars 3 billion years ago, at that time There was water on the red planetOn the other hand, they can inform scientists about the geographical evolution of Mars.

Three robots searching for life on Mars

Curiosity must continue Orbit the ruined lands of Mars Life is looking for signatures. Researchers have confirmed the effectiveness of this method, the study explains, without specifying whether it should be repeated or improved. ” Derivation performed […] It has proven to be a powerful tool for expanding our field of research on organic or biological molecules..

In parallel with the work undertaken by Curiosity, perseverance and Jurong, who arrived in February and May 2021, are also busy searching for traces of past life on Mars. Diligently drilled rocks show it There was water on Mars Thanks to the discovery of salts 3 billion years ago Minerals In the Jessero abyss. About Zhurong, The Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA) Not announcing a major turning point in the search for biosignatures, but thank you To the official extension of its mission, The rover continues to explore its pre-Utopia Planitia plains Autonomy Exhausted.