Astronomers find complex organic molecules – precursors to sugars and amino acids – in a planet-forming disc.

Powder diffraction is a widespread technique found in academic, forensic, industrial research and quality-control laboratories the world over. The recent article by Kabova et al. [(2025), Acta Cryst. C81, 559–569] provides step-by-step guidance on how to proceed and the software the authors use, from sample preparation and the powder diffraction measurement itself, to the verification of the final structure.

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array has detected methanol isotopes around a nearby star, which could help explain why the ingredients for life are present on Earth.

Asteroids and comets reveal complex organic molecules which form in space and might have contributed to Earth’s early biology.

Learn how the James Webb Space Telescope used infrared spectroscopy to uncover dense organic molecules in one of the brightest nearby infrared galaxies.

Instead of searching for a single molecule or structure that proves the presence of biology, researchers attempted to classify how likely mixtures of compounds preserved in rocks and meteorites were t...

Curiosity found large organic molecules in a 2013 Mars rock sample. These fragments suggest Mars had the right chemistry for early life.

NASA's Curiosity rover has detected the largest organic molecules ever found on Mars -- decane, undecane, and dodecane -- suggesting that complex prebiotic chemistry may have occurred in the planet's...

NASA’s Curiosity rover has identified a diverse set of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds associated with the chemistry of life on Earth. These findings come from a novel chemical experiment conducted directly on the Martian surface using the rover’s Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite. Scientists detected more than 20 organic compounds, including a nitrogen-containing molecule with similarities to structures involved in DNA, marking the first time such a compound has been observed on Mars. The molecules were found in clay-rich rocks within Gale Crater, a region believed to have once contained a lake. These clays are known for their ability to trap and preserve organic material over billions of years. Researchers estimate that some of the detected organic matter may be around 3.5 billion years old, offering valuable insight into Mars’ ancient environment and its potential habitability. To perform the analysis, scientists used a chemical reagent called TMAH to break down large organic molecules into smaller fragments that SAM could study. Due to limited resources onboard the rover, the experiment required careful planning and site selection. The results demonstrate that complex organic chemistry can persist in the Martian subsurface, even after billions of years of exposure to harsh conditions. Despite the exciting nature of the discovery, researchers emphasize that these molecules are not proof of past life. Organic compounds can form through non-biological processes or be delivered by meteorites. However, the findings strengthen the case that Mars once had conditions suitable for life and highlight the importance of future missions that could return samples to Earth for more detailed analysis. The success of this method is also influencing upcoming missions to Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan, where similar techniques will be used to search for signs of life.

NASA's Mars rover has detected organic molecules in rock samples collected on the Martian surface, offering significant clues about the planet's potential to have supported ancient life. These molecules, composed of carbon and hydrogen, are considered essential building blocks for life. While the discovery does not confirm past life on Mars, it strengthens the hypothesis that conditions on the planet could have once been conducive to living organisms. The rover, equipped with highly sensitive instruments, analyzed sedimentary rocks believed to be billions of years old. Scientists emphasize that organic molecules can form through both biological and non-biological processes, so further research is needed to determine their origin. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting Mars had liquid water and a more hospitable environment in its distant past. Researchers plan to continue analyzing the data and collect additional samples to better understand the chemical history of the Martian surface and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Discovery of organic molecules on Enceladus suggests potential habitability, sparking interest in astrobiology.