In April 2026, scientists reported that Curiosity had detected the first nitrogen heterocycle on the Martian surface — a class of organic molecule that on Earth forms part of the chemical pathway toward RNA and DNA. It isn’t evidence of life, but it shows that ancient Mars possessed surprisingly complex prebiotic chemistry.

Curiosity's first possible nitrogen heterocycle is chemically relevant to pathways toward RNA and DNA, but the instrument's imperfect match and reactive reagent keep the result well short of evidence for life. The post In April 2026, scientists reported that Curiosity had detected the first nitrogen heterocycle on the Martian surface — a class of organic molecule that on Earth forms part of the…