{"id":3059,"date":"2026-04-22T21:34:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=3059"},"modified":"2026-04-22T21:34:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:34:41","slug":"nasas-curiosity-finds-never-before-seen-organic-molecules-on-mars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=3059","title":{"rendered":"NASA&#8217;s Curiosity finds never before seen organic molecules on Mars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Finding life on Mars might be closer than we once thought:\u00a0NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover\u00a0has yielded promising data from the Red Planet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to a news release from NASA April 21, scientists confirmed the presence of essential ingredients of life preserved in 3.5-billion-year-old Martian sandstone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">NASA said the\u00a0rover collected\u00a0clay-filled rocks from an area called Glen Torridon inside the planet&#8217;s Gale Crater. The rover\u2019s Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) mobile instrument suite then analyzed the data.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-accent\/2 pb-5 md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-nowrap justify-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cThat detection is pretty profound because these structures can be chemical precursors to more complex nitrogen-bearing molecules,\u201d Amy Williams, the paper\u2019s lead author, said in the news release.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/5DGKNtPLaGZBP6UNo5bYvw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_news_641\/a346735afabe0744c4e47f7c7a24280e\" alt=\"A 'selfie' taken by the Curiosity rover taken on the Martian surface.\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"9\" data-y-link-id=\"1flgvj90aht0rv0ws7wp\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div>A &#8216;selfie&#8217; taken by the Curiosity rover taken on the Martian surface.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Officials said the molecules were identified using a first-of-its-kind &#8220;wet&#8221; chemistry experiment, which uses the chemical tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH).\u00a0According to NASA,\u00a0the chemical allows the rover to break down \u201clarger molecules that would be difficult to detect and identify otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Once the samples were broken down, the rover was able to reveal the presence of more than 20 organic molecules. Among the molecules detected were naphthalene and benzothiophene, some of the most complex organic compounds ever discovered on the Martian surface, NASA\u00a0said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/PWIdlA3aJRmCqhuuimtTiQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY1NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_news_641\/920ac429f6465719554f3ed03420ebee\" alt=\"Photos from the Martian surface taken by Curiosity showing the spot drilled by the rover.\" width=\"960\" height=\"655\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"12\" data-y-link-id=\"0mio7yg1s3azpz1hmzmg\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div>Photos from the Martian surface taken by Curiosity showing the spot drilled by the rover.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">One step at a time<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The most recent discovery is only the latest sign pointing to possible life in Mars&#8217; past.\u00a0In a study published in February, NASA said\u00a0rock samples collected in 2025 showed organic compounds that on Earth are most often produced by living things.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-accent\/2 pb-5 md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-nowrap justify-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The compounds, the largest ever found on Mars, were believed to be fragments of fatty acids preserved in ancient mudstone in the Gale Crater, NASA said. On Earth, fatty acids are a key indicator of life, because they are most often produced by living organisms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"-mx-4 mb-5 max-w-[750px] md:mx-0\">\n<div class=\"relative md:overflow-hidden md:rounded-lg\">\n<div class=\"absolute left-3 top-1\/2 z-1 -translate-y-1\/2 md:left-6\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"_r_1ck_\" class=\"no-scrollbar flex snap-x snap-mandatory overflow-y-hidden overflow-x-scroll\">\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"true\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/4oSRESiKFfuU.gt6LNQV9Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/c92e296837c284e43e69521c64f4423e\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>NASA has sent five robotic vehicles to Mars. Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance. Look back at the missions.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/exjDxGZeh_XEK2BMEyB30A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5NztjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/2e879e329c3453fe4671ed35d804f761\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>View of the NASA Pathfinder Sojourner Rover robotic data gathering vehicle exploring the surface terrain of the planet Mars, 1997.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"21\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"21\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/bAAUJD8suGc_LrasAeMFcA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/d041aa4b0e441a50e41621c1fdb8dc49\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>This handout photo obtained on September 10, 2025, from NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS shows an image taken by NASA&#8217;s Perseverance rover that shows &#8220;leopard spots&#8221; on a reddish rock nicknamed &#8220;Cheyava Falls&#8221; in Mars&#8217; Jerezo Crater in July 2024 on Mars. Colorful, speckled rocks found on the surface of Mars have offered among the most encouraging evidence yet of ancient life on our neighboring planet, scientists at NASA announced on September 10, 2025. The Perseverance Mars rover collected the &#8220;Sapphire Canyon&#8221; rock samples in July 2024 from the bed of what&#8217;s considered an ancient lake, and its poppyseed and leopard-esque spots pointed to potential chemical reactions that piqued the interest of researchers.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute right-3 top-1\/2 z-1 -translate-y-1\/2 md:right-6\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-4 md:mx-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<h2 class=\"text-base font-bold text-primary\">Searching for signs of life on Mars, NASA\u2019s robotic missions dig for clues<\/h2>\n<div class=\"whitespace-nowrap text-sm\"><span class=\"ml-1 font-normal text-primary\"><span class=\"font-bold text-brand\">1<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a022<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative text-sm pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>NASA has sent five robotic vehicles to Mars. Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance. Look back at the missions.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">What is NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Curiosity is\u00a0one of NASA&#8217;s two car-sized robots\u00a0\u2212 the other is\u00a0Perseverance\u00a0\u2212 exploring the Martian surface\u00a0for signs that the planet was once habitable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about the possibility of ancient life. The robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to\u00a0collect intriguing samples.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Curiosity\u00a0began its voyage to Mars in November 2011 and landed in August 2012 in the Gale Crater on the boundary between Mars&#8217; cratered southern highlands and its smooth northern plains. While exploring the crater, believed to have formed 3.7 billion years ago, Curiosity has collected 42 rock samples crushed into powder with the drill on the end of its robotic arm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Contributing: Eric Lagatta<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:\u00a0NASA&#8217;s Curiosity finds never before seen organic molecules on Mars<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding life on Mars might be closer than we once thought:\u00a0NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover\u00a0has yielded promising data from the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3060,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9,35,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-science","category-tech","category-us"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3059"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3059\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3061,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3059\/revisions\/3061"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}