The Curiosity rover of NASA has found organic chemicals which are the carbon-containing building blocks of life on the Red Planet - MARS. The discovery does not confirm the existence of life on MARS or has existed earlier on MARS. But this marks the first time that organics have been confirmed on MARS. The Curiosity Project Scientist Mr. John Grotzinger of California Institute of Technology said "This is really a great moment for the Mission".
The SAM ( Sample Analysis at MARS ) instrument has detected chlorobenzene and several other carbon compounds containing chlorine in the samples from a rock called "Cumberland" which was drilled by Curiosity in May, 2013.
The SAM instrument uses a tiny oven to cook the samples, and then analyze the gases that come out. The NASA scientists say that it is impossible at present whether the Cumberland organics were produced by living organisms. But this discovery will definitely help them to guide the planning efforts for NASA's 2020 Mars Rover mission which aims to collect samples on MARS to be returned to Earth.
The NASA scientists also discovered the detection of methane levels in MARS atmosphere. Curiosity landed on MARS in August, 2012. It is now exploring the foothills of Mount Sharp, which rises 5.5 Kilometers above the surface of MARS from the center of the huge Gale crater.
The SAM ( Sample Analysis at MARS ) instrument has detected chlorobenzene and several other carbon compounds containing chlorine in the samples from a rock called "Cumberland" which was drilled by Curiosity in May, 2013.
The SAM instrument uses a tiny oven to cook the samples, and then analyze the gases that come out. The NASA scientists say that it is impossible at present whether the Cumberland organics were produced by living organisms. But this discovery will definitely help them to guide the planning efforts for NASA's 2020 Mars Rover mission which aims to collect samples on MARS to be returned to Earth.
The NASA scientists also discovered the detection of methane levels in MARS atmosphere. Curiosity landed on MARS in August, 2012. It is now exploring the foothills of Mount Sharp, which rises 5.5 Kilometers above the surface of MARS from the center of the huge Gale crater.
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