Curiosity is currently carrying another sample of the rock for additional analysis, which may reveal even larger organic compounds and potentially bolster evidence for ancient life.

The current study employed a new procedure to analyze the Cumberland rock sample, leading to the detection of larger organic molecules such as decane, undecane, and dodecane.

While researchers did not uncover a definitive biosignature indicating past life, experts agree that this discovery represents the best opportunity yet to identify remnants of life on Mars.

Since its landing in 2012, the Curiosity rover has traversed over 20 miles across Gale Crater and has previously identified shorter carbon-chain organics in ancient mudstone.

The findings indicate that organic materials can be preserved in Martian rock for billions of years, paving the way for future exploration of potential life remnants.

NASA's Curiosity rover has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying the largest organic compounds ever found on Mars, igniting excitement about the potential for ancient life on the planet.

These organic compounds were detected in a 3.7 billion-year-old rock sample from Yellowknife Bay, an ancient Martian lakebed that once had conditions favorable for life.

The analysis suggests that the rock sample likely contains carboxylic acids that transformed into alkanes during the heating process, raising intriguing questions about their origins.

Among the findings, the rover detected long-chain alkanes, which are organic molecules believed to be remnants of fatty acids critical for cell membranes in living organisms.

The Martian fatty acids exhibit a trend similar to that of Earth organisms, with a predominance of even numbers of carbon atoms, although this conclusion remains inconclusive.

Dr. Caroline Freissinet, who led the research, noted that these long-chain fatty acids could potentially originate from the degradation of ancient cell membranes.

To further understand the origins of these organics, John Eiler, a geology and geochemistry professor, emphasized the need for advanced equipment to analyze isotopes of carbon and hydrogen, which is only available on Earth.