Infamous Mars meteorite contains organic molecules. But they aren't proof of life.

A new study shows that organic compounds found in a Mars meteorite are not signs of life, but formed in chemical reactions between water and rock on the Red Planet about 4 billion years ago. Researchers say that these findings could shed light on the origins of the building blocks of life.

Oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and other elements are included in organic compounds, and they may also have carbon. There are organic compounds that can arise due to abiotic or non-biological activity. There are many organic chemicals in Red Planet rocks and methane in Mars' atmosphere. The origins of these compounds have been controversial.

The Allan Hills meteorite was the focus of the new study. The rock was discovered in the Allan Hills in the southernmost part of the world, and it was found to have fallen to Earth about 13,700 years ago.

Andrew Steele, an astronomer and senior staff scientist at the Carnegie Institute for Science in Washington, D.C., told Space.com that ALH 84001 is one of the most studied rocks. It was cool to find something new in the meteorite that opened the door to understanding the observations made over many years.

Water on Mars: Exploration and evidence.

Scientists have argued over how organic chemicals formed. Possible explanations include volcanic activity, Cosmic impacts, and ancient life on Mars, as well as the meteorite falling to Earth.

The researchers analyzed the minerals within the meteorite. They discovered that the meteorite had organic compounds in it. A dark green mineral, sometimes called a snake's skin, is associated with once-wet environments.

The organic chemicals in ALH 84001 may have formed due to water-rock interactions. When iron or magnesium-rich volcanic rocks interact with circulating water, they change their mineral nature and produce hydrogen. The other interaction involves rocks reacting with slightly acidic water to form carbonate minerals.

The organic compounds were formed when volcanic rock interacted with briny fluids. The findings may show how well Mars could have supported life, but also on other destinations. Steele said that this works suggests how some important building blocks for life were produced on early Earth, and are being produced elsewhere in our solar system.

Scientists have been interested in the origin of life before, and the new research isn't the first time. There was a lot of controversy over whether or not ALH 84001 included fossils of Mars-dwelling organisms. Research shows abiotic factors could explain the fossils.

Steele said that the debate on the meteorite was divisive but that it has lessened over the years. I hope this paper encourages the debate in a positive way.

The scientists detailed their findings in the journal.

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