In what could be a very important announcement in our search for life on other planets, NASA has revealed that they have discovered what could be the “building blocks” of ancient life on the Red Planet. The Mars Curiosity rover has found new evidence that was preserved in Martian rocks that indicates that ancient life may have been possible.

It is an exciting find that, while it is not a smoking gun that life once existed on Mars, scientists are on the right track and futur emissions to the planet should focus on finding more evidence. Researchers found “tough” organic molecules in sedimentary rocks dated at three billion years old.

Researchers detailed their findings in the June 8 edition of the journal Science. Organic molecules contain carbon and hydrogen, as well as other important elements like oxygen and nitrogen.