Complex Carbon on Mars: Perseverance's Biggest Find Yet

Perseverance found macromolecular carbon, the most complex organic matter yet detected on Mars.

The carbon sits in two mudstones at Bright Angel, inside a dried river valley feeding Jezero crater.

Researchers logged hundreds of organic signals and report 21 carbon compounds, seven new to Mars.

It is not proof of life — the carbon could form without biology, and only Earth labs can settle it.

The rocks build on the 2025 'Cheyava Falls' leopard-spotted potential biosignature.