Curiosity Finds Diverse Martian Organics, But Life’s Origins Remain Unclear

NASA’s Curiosity rover’s Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) detected more than 20 organic molecules in Gale crater’s clay‑rich rocks using a first‑of‑its‑kind TMAH thermochemolysis experiment, suggesting macromolecular carbon preserved in ancient Martian sediments; while the findings show organic richness and potential biosignature precursors, they cannot distinguish biological from non‑biological sources, and they align with Perseverance observations to inform future life‑detection missions.