Unexpected biomolecule discovered on Mars, possibly key to its life

The planet Mars continues to captivate scientists with its mysteries, the latest being a significant finding by a team from Tohoku University in Japan. Their research has uncovered evidence of atmospheric formaldehyde on Mars, suggesting the red planet might once have conditions conducive to life.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study proposes that the presence of formaldehyde could indicate the prior existence of biomolecules essential for life. This discovery adds depth to the concept that Mars, currently dry and desolate, may have once been a cradle for life, especially considering its history with liquid water, estimated to span at least 200 million years.

Water is a key marker for life’s potential in the cosmos, and the detection of formaldehyde strengthens the hypothesis that the necessary components for life’s inception, including this compound, were present during Mars’s aqueous era. Formaldehyde is critical in forming life’s fundamental elements, such as proteins and RNA.

Researchers speculate that between 3.8 and 3.6 billion years ago, Mars’s conditions, including the presence of liquid water and certain gases, could have fostered a warm, life-supporting environment. Yet, the actual formation of formaldehyde under these ancient conditions remains an enigma.

The study embarked on understanding the genesis of organic materials like formaldehyde on ancient Mars and the environmental conditions at that time. Through computer modeling, the research team, headed by Shungo Koyama, inferred that Mars’s atmosphere, rich in carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, likely facilitated the creation of formaldehyde.

Koyama and his team highlighted, “Our findings suggest that atmospheric formaldehyde could contribute to the formation of various organic compounds, including amino acids and sugars.”

Furthermore, the study posits the continuous availability of bioessential sugars on early Mars, notably during its Noachian and early Hesperian periods, as a real possibility.

This research has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, offering insights into the Martian conditions that could support life. Understanding these conditions aids scientists in refining their search for evidence of past life on Mars, guiding future exploratory missions to look for bioessential sugars and amino acids in Martian environments of antiquity.