Massive Mars discovery: Organic molecules 'fundamental to our search for life' found by NASA rover

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has found organic molecules on Mars, the space agency revealed in a major announcement Thursday During a press conference at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Goddard, Md., and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., scientists noted that the molecules provide fresh insight into the Red Planet. "We found organic molecules in rocks from an ancient lake bed," explained Jen Eigenbrode, research scientist at Goddard. A variety of molecules were identified, she added. While NASA was at pains to explain that it has not discovered life on Mars, the organic molecules could provide vital clues. "Organic compounds are fundamental to our search for life," said Paul Mahaffy, director of the Solar System Exploration Division at Goddard.